A SUPERB WHITE JADE TRIPOD 'RAM' CENSER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of compressed globular form supported on three lion masks terminating in short stocky cabriole feet, rising to angled shoulders and a raised square-cut rim, set with two mythical beast handles carved in openwork with convoluting horns extending to the rim and broad open snouts issuing clusters of curling ruyi, finely decorated in low relief with taotie masks formed of archaistic fretwork, the domed cover similarly carved with taotie masks, sweeping up to a waisted dished knop encircled by three recumbent rams each bending one leg in front, the smoothly polished stone of warm pale celadon-white colour picked out with a russet vein on the underside and occasional streaks of russet skin

Collection of George Petit (1856-1920), Paris.
Thence by family descent.

As typical and in keeping with the age of the vessel, the outer rims of the vessel and cover are slightly abraded, with minute chips, especially behind the handles.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This censer is impressive for its stately form, the broad body flanked by powerfully-rendered mythical creature handles, all carved from a large jade boulder of notable quality and consistency. It is supported on three stout feet which are perfectly off-set by the gently-carved rams on the cover and low-relief carving on the body. Continuing in the Song dynasty tradition of carving jade vessels in the form of archaic bronzes, the craftsmen of the Qing adapted classical forms and combined them with their own innovative decorative elements. The present censer incorporates the archaic taotie on the body, but rather than using bovines on the cover as often found on Zhou dynasty bronzes, the Qing artisans replaced them with rams.

The three rams on the cover was a popular motif which adorned porcelains, paintings and carvings, and form the rebus san yang qi tai ('Spring comes in its full form') suggesting the auspicious beginning of a new year. The rams also play on the character yang, which is homophonous with the character for the positive force of nature. In the Chinese lunar calendar san yang stands for the first month when Chinese New Year occurs. On the Eight Trigrams (bagua), the three continuous bars also represent san yang.

A white jade censer of this type but flanked with different handles, also carved with three rams on the cover, is illustrated in The Jade-carving Art in the Ch’ing Dynasty, National Museum, of History, Taipei, 1996, pp 80-81; another sold in these rooms, 8^th October 2010, lot 2609; and a third example sold in our London rooms, 28^th October 1983, lot 201. Compare also a pair of archaistic tripod ding with three recumbent bovines on the cover, illustrated ibid., pp. 72-73.

A French art dealer, Georges Petit (1856-1920) was the son of Francois Petit, the founder of Galerie Francois Petit, which established itself as one of the leading and influential firms in the French art market. Georges Petit specialised in cultivating and promoting Impressionist artists, actively supporting people such as Alfred Sisley, Edgar Degas and August Rodin.