A WHITE JADE CENSER AND COVER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the rounded sides rising from a spreading foot, with four semi-circular handles suspending loose rings, above a wide band of lappets, the wide everted rim carved to the sides with ruyi, the domed cover with ruyi-shaped panels, flanked with pierced cloud scroll panels, rising to a flared cylindrical finial, the stone of an even white to pale celadon tone with white inclusions

L. Michon, Paris, 1954.

John Sparks Ltd., London, 29th November 1954 (£450).

There is a 4cm area of the underside of the foot that has been re-polished. There is some small nicks to the interior of the rim. The cover may possibly be matched and it has a flaw/crack, running 4cm diagonally from the rim. There is also a 7mm by 4mm discoloured bruise to the rim of the finial.
"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."

Censers of this form, fashioned with a wide everted rim that terminate in a ruyi band are unusual, and the present piece is particularly attractive for its subtle low-relief decoration limited to the band of lappets above the foot. A lobed censer similarly modelled with an everted rim and with multiple ringed handles on the body, was sold in these rooms, 11st November 2015, lot 54; and a slightly smaller example, also fashioned with four feet, was included in the exhibition Jade as Sculpture, Minnesota Museum of Art, Saint Paul, 1975, cat. no. 67, and sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 21st May 659.

 

Compare also censers modelled with four ringed handles on the body, but lacking the everted rim, such as one sold in these rooms, 6th June 1995, lot 51, possibly the same censer that sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27th April 1997, lot 581; and another sold in these rooms, 3rd November 1969, lot 150.