AN IMPERIAL INSCRIBED ZITAN STAND YUTI MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG, DATED GUIWEI YEAR (IN ACCORDANCE WITH 1763)

intricately carved overall with archaistic motifs, one side incised and picked out in gold with an imperial poem in clerical script, signed Qianlong guiwei zhongchun yue yuti ('Imperially inscribed by the Qianlong Emperor in the second month of the guiwei year'), followed by two seals reading jixia yiqing ('When does one have the leisure to delight the heart?') and de jiaqu ('obtaining refined enjoyment')

As visible in the catalogue, the jade disc is missing. There are several typical age cracks. There is a restored break on the underside and evidence of glue where the underside frames were reattached. Minor bruises and other general surface wear.
"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."

Elaborately carved zitan stands of this type were designed to serve as a complementary companion to the ancient jade bi discs, which were treasured and collected by the Qianlong Emperor. A number of related zitan stands is known, including two in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, incised with poems dated to 1772 and 1784 respectively, illustrated in Teng Shu-p'ing, Neolithic Jades in the Collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1992, pl. 100; one mounted with an archaic jade bi, with an inscribed poem dated to 1764, sold in these rooms, 4th November 1997, lot 1202; and another, inscribed with a poem dated to 1775, also sold in these rooms, 8th April 2013, lot 3010.