A SUPERB YELLOW JADE EAR-CUP QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of archaistic form, the shallow oval-shaped bowl with sturdy sides rising from a short foot, the main sides flanked by a pair of elongated 'C'-shaped 'ear' handles extending just below the mouthrim, the lustrous stone of a warm translucent yellow colour

The ear-cup is in overall good condition. There are two minute nicks to the mouthrim and ear, barely visible to the naked eye.
"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."

It is rare to find a scholar's object of this size and quality in yellow jade, although another ear-cup of similar form in white jade, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, incised with a Qianlong four-character seal mark, is illustrated in The Refined Taste of the Emperor: Special Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch’ing Court, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1997, cat. no. 31. 

The inspiration of the cup is Han dynasty lacquer ear-cups, such as one in the British Museum, gift of Brooke Sewell, with an inscription noting that it was made for the emperor in AD 4 at the Western Factory workshop in Shu (now Sichuan Province), illustrated by Sir Harry Garner, Chinese Lacquer, London, 1979, p. 43, pl. 13.