清乾隆 白玉寒梅紋獸耳活環蓋瓶

of flattened baluster form, flanked by a pair of mythical beast handles suspending rings, carved in low relief to both sides with a gnarled flowering prunus, the waisted neck with a band of archaic descending leaves, below a thin band of key-fret at the rim, the cover with gently sloping edges and surmounted with a multi-faceted finial, the stone of an even white to pale celadon tone 

There are two narrow chips to one side of the stepped foot, 1cm by 2mm and 7mm by 2mm. There is a small re-polished chip to one corner of the rim of the cover and some nicks to the rims of the vase and the cover. There is a flaw running to the lower part of one side of the vase.
"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."

本品端雅秀麗，巧用天然玉色，彰顯精工造型，渾然天成。兩側瓶耳彎曲浮凸，配以素身白玉，對比鮮明動人。

相類瓶形作例，雕刻桃樹竹石，屬清宮御藏，現存於北京，並載於《中國玉器全集》，第6冊，石家莊，1993年，圖版221；另一碧玉瓶例，開光內雕桃樹，圖版210；尚可參考兩例，尺寸較小，其一售於倫敦蘇富比1973年11月20日，編號141，其二亦售於倫敦蘇富比1975年10月14日，編號270；再有一例，售於紐約蘇富比1978年1月25日，編號310。