Lot 221
  • 221

A BLACK JADE ARCHAISTIC HU-FORM VASE 19TH / 20TH CENTURY

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Jade
the pear-shaped body rising from a tall spreading foot, at the neck two openwork handles in the form of a mythical beasts scaling the vessel, the body carved with four registers of interlaced kuilong and a fifth register of vertical lappets, 'twisted rope' bands dividing the registers, the stone black with two white passages

Provenance

S. Bernstein & Co., San Francisco.

Condition

In overall good condition with expected surface wear and minute abrasions around the edges and extremities. The foot ring with old abrasions, and one area that is possibly a natural crevice to the stone, or an old smoothed minor flake chip. With natural inclusions and natural crevices throughout the stone. The base with two old sticker labels, one from Bernstein, the other with an inventory number and notation. The stone is of a deeper black and less green, and the white patches are more opaque than the colors in the printed catalogue.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

The formal origins of this vase are to be found in deep antiquity, with the shape and ornament inspired by bronze hu vessels of the Eastern Zhou period (770-221 BC), which themselves find their precedent as early as the Anyang phase of the Shang dynasty (ca. 1300-1056 BC). Ancient bronze hu functioned as ritual wine vessels and were cast for use in certain ceremonies and in commemoration of specific events.