A FINELY CARVED YELLOW JADE VASE, FANGHU QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of archaistic fanghu form, the square-section body superbly worked with a pear-shaped body rising to a waisted neck and galleried rim, flanked on the sides by a pair of low-relief mythical beast masks suspending mock rings, all supported on a splayed foot, the stone of a warm yellow colour mottled with faint russet inclusions, wood stand

Christie's Hong Kong, 30th October 2000, lot 676 (part lot).
Collection of Harry M. Weinrebe.
S. Marchant & Son, London, March 2011.
Christie's Hong Kong, 28th November 2012, lot 2188.

The vase is in overall good condition. There are expected minor wear and bruises to the corners of the mouth and foot, as well as tiny areas of pitting to the edges. The catalogue illustration is a tinge redder than the actual colour of the stone.
"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."

A very similar vase and cover, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in The Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum. Jade, vol. 10, Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl. 14; and another, reputedly from the collection of Mr and Mrs R.H.R. Palmer, was sold in these rooms, 25th April 2004, lot 118. Compare also two slightly larger white jade vases with matching cover, one sold in our New York rooms, 28th/29th September 1989, lot 486, and the other sold at Christie's London, 17th December 1981, lot 471; and a brown jade vase, attributed to the 17th century, from the collection of Gerald Godfrey, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30th October 1995, lot 915.

For the bronze prototype of this vase see one attributed to the Western Han dynasty, unearthed in Gaoyao, Xi'an, Shaanxi province, and now in the Xi'an Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, illustrated in Zhongguo qingtongqi quanji. Qin Han [Complete collection of Chinese bronzes. Qin and Han dynasties], vol. 12, Beijing, 1998, pl. 53.