清乾隆 白玉雙童子耳爐

finely modelled with deep rounded sides rising from four ruyi feet to an incurved rim, the handles formed from two boys fashioned in the round, with their arms and legs perched on the rim and the side of the vessel, one boy depicted holding a spray of nandina berries while the other clutching a ruyi sceptre in the hand, both dressed in loose fitting robes, their faces with a cheerful expression and the hair gathered into two topknots, the interior of the bowl worked in relief with a bat, the well-polished stone of a translucent even white colour

紐約佳士得1988年9月23/24日，編號252
Spink & Son Ltd，倫敦，1998年6月19日

The incense burner is in very good condition. There are a few insignificant bruises and nicks to the edges, especially to the feet.  The catalogue illustration is a tinge brighter than the actual 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."

This jade incense burner is deftly modelled with two boys carved in the round playfully grasping the slightly incurved rim of the vessel. The even and translucent tone of the white stone is accentuated through the finely finished surface of the vessel which has been left undecorated. Compare a slightly smaller vessel of this form and with handles in the form of boys, but raised on bat-shaped feet, from the Qing court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures in the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 163, together with one carved with a bat resting its wings on the rim, pl. 164. 

Vessels of this type, with handles in the form of figures, follow prototypes made from as early as the Song dynasty. See for example a bowl attributed to the Song period, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum. Jade, vol. 5, Tang, Song, Liao, Jin and Yuan Dynasties, Beijing, 2011, pl. 56.