清乾隆 黃玉仿古方蓋瓶

of rectangular section, with straight sides resting on a pedestal foot and surmounted by a constricted neck and galleried mouthrim, flanked by a pair of triple-loop handles on the sides below a pair of angular scroll handles extending from the neck, the well-fitted cover tapering to an angular shoulder and surmounted by a knop worked in the form of a pair of angular scrolls, the stone of a warm yellow colour with attractive faint russet inclusions, wood stand

Spink & Sons Ltd，倫敦，1959年8月15日
Knapton Rasti Asian Art，倫敦，2003年

The vase and cover are in overall good condition except for expected occasional minor nicks to the extremities, including the rim of the vase with the largest measuring 0.3 by 0.2 cm to one corner of the mouth. There is also an area measuring approx. 0.2 by 0.3 cm that has possibly polished down to one corner of the angular scroll knop. The catalogue illustration is a tinge warmer than the actually colour of the stone.
"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."

Since the Ming dynasty, yellow jade was recognised by scholars and connoisseurs as one of the most valued variations of nephrite. In his miscellany Yanxian Qingshang [Refined Enjoyment of Elegant Leisure], the dramatist Gao Lian (fl. 1573-81) noted that, ‘Of all jade materials, yellow stones with a mellow tone are the best and mutton-white ones come second’. Because of its rarity, the brownish skin was often worked into the piece, as seen on the handles of the present piece, to increase its overall size and show the carver’s respect for the rare and valuable material.

A yellow jade vase of similar form and size, but of rounded square section and archaistic phoenix handles, was sold twice at Christie’s Hong Kong, 17th May 1988, lot 555, and 28th April 1996, lot 693, and a third time in their London rooms, 15th May 2007. This vase also shares the warm yellow hue of the present vase, which is also referred to as ‘autumn mallow’ or qiukui. Further yellow jade vases with covers include an ovoid example carved with chilong, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum. Jade, vol. 10, Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl. 31; another illustrated in Roger Keverne, Jade, London, 1991, p. 151, fig. 55; and a third example, with a Qianlong mark and of the period, from the Collection of the Virginia Art Museum, was sold three times at auction, at Sotheby’s New York in 1998, Christie’s Hong Kong in 1998, and most recently in these rooms, 7th April 2015, lot 3630.