A LARGE WHITE JADE ELEPHANT-HANDLED ARCHAISTIC VASE, GU QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of compressed hexagonal section and of archaistic gu form, the central bulbous section resting on a hollow splayed foot and surmounted by a tall flared neck, the neck flanked by a pair of elephant mask handles, each suspending a loose ring, the mid-section carved in low relief with a pair of taotie masks, the neck and foot with archaistic upright and pendent cicada blades, the stone of an even white colour with faint greyish and icy inclusions, wood stand

The vase is in overall good condition with just minute nibbles to the mouthrim and footrim. There are also minor nicks to the extremities as expected, including the ears of the elephants, the largest measuring approx. 0.7 cm. The actual colour is similar to the catalogue illustration.
"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."

The form and design of this piece are based on archaic bronze gu produced during the late Shang (c. 1600-1050 BC) and early Western Zhou (c. 1050-771 BC) periods. Jade craftsmen active during the Qianlong reign (1736-1795) turned to archaic bronze shapes in response to the Qianlong Emperor’s fascination with the past, and adapted them to suit the prevailing taste of the Qing court. The finely modelled elephant-head handles on this piece testify to this trend, as well as the taotie mask, which has been simplified into an elegant, almost abstract motif of lingzhi.

 A jade gu of similar form and design was sold in our New York rooms, 29th September 1977, lot 260; and another was sold at Christie’s New York, 17th September 2008, lot 563. See also smaller gu-shaped vases of this type, such as one from the collection of Henry J. Heinz II, sold in our New York rooms, 18th March 1977, lot 36; another, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30th November 2011, lot 3249; and a third, but modelled with four animal-mask handles, illustrated in Roger Keverne, Jade, London, 1991, p. 184, pl. 140 (centre).