A WHITE JADE VASE AND COVER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of flattened baluster form, flanked by a pair of mythical beast handles suspending rings, carved in low relief to both sides with a gnarled flowering prunus, the waisted neck with a band of archaic descending leaves, below a thin band of key-fret at the rim, the cover with gently sloping edges and surmounted with a multi-faceted finial, the stone of an even white to pale celadon tone 

There are two narrow chips to one side of the stepped foot, 1cm by 2mm and 7mm by 2mm. There is a small re-polished chip to one corner of the rim of the cover and some nicks to the rims of the vase and the cover. There is a flaw running to the lower part of one side of the vase.
"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 elegant vase is notable for the effective and attractive use of the natural white inclusions of the stone to highlight areas of the design. The two bending old prunus trunks appear almost three-dimensional against the undecorated celadon ground, which also creates an attractive contrast with the sculptural handles.

 

A vase of similar shape and carved with a prunus tree, bamboo and rocks, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, is illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji [Complete collection of Chinese jade], vol. 6, Shijiajuang, 1993, pl. 221, together with a spinach-green jade vase carved with a prunus tree within a rectangular panel, pl. 210; two slightly smaller examples were sold in these rooms, the first, 20th November 1973, lot 141, and the second, 14th October 1975, lot 270; and a further vase was sold in our New York rooms, 25th January 1978, lot 310.