A LARGE WHITE JADE ARCHAISTIC BRONZE-FORM VASE AND COVER, FANGHU QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY |

superbly worked after ancient bronze fanghu vessels, the flattened vase of rectangular section modelled rising from a splayed foot to a broad rounded shoulder and surmounted by a straight neck, each broad side of the body adorned in low relief with a taotie mask against a leiwen ground above pendent stylised plantain leaves, all beneath two pairs of confronting birds at the neck and shoulder, flanked by a pair of horned animal handles suspending loose rings, the corner edges of the vessel and central axis of the neck further decorated with notched flanges, the base incised with an apocryphal four-character Qianlong reign mark, the well-fitted cover rendered after Zhou dynasty bronze fangyi and similarly decorated with taotie masks and flanges, wood stand

The vase and cover are in very good overall condition. There are occasional expected minute nicks and occasional bruises to the fragile extremities, including the handles and raised angular flanges.
"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."

Compare a vase of related fanghu form, but with angled shoulders and carved with a variation of the taotie motif, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Chinese Jades throughout the Ages, vol. 12, Hong Kong, 1997, pl. 18; and a jade vessel of similar form and taotie band around the body, but of oval section in imitation of a bronze hu, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the exhibition The Refined Taste of the Emperor: Special Exhibition of Archaic and Pictorial Jades of the Ch'ing Court, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1997, cat. no. 5.