Page 29 - 2020 December 1 Bonhams Hong Kong, Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of art

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A RARE PALE GREEN JADE ‘CHAMPION’ VASE Vases of this form are known as ‘champion vases’, which refers to
Ming Dynasty the vessel’s double-tubular compartments connected by an eagle
Carved in the form of two cylindrical receptacles, each with a broad (ying) and a bear (xiong). The word ying and xiong form the pun on the
band of raised bosses between a band of low-relief chilong pattern word for ‘champion’ or ‘hero’. In form, the vase was inspired by earlier
and stylised ruyi-heads, all linked together by a heavenly bird with bronzes, such as the Tang dynasty ‘champion’ vase shown in the
outstretched wings and a circular ring suspended from its beak, Xiqing Gujian, 1751, illustrated by M.Wilson, Chinese Jades, London,
standing on a crouching beast emerging between the bases, the 2004, p.106, pl.107.
tail feathers of each visible on the reverse and linked by a handle
decorated with bosses, the lustrous stone of an even pale-green tone Compare with four related pale green jade ‘champion’ vases,
with russet inclusions. Ming dynasty, two from the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in
7.3cm (2 7/8in) high. Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade, vol.7 Beijing,
2011, nos.214-217.
HKD300,000 - 400,000
US$39,000 - 52,000 青玉，玉質顯舊，有沁色。雙筒相連式，均為圓口，深圈足。口沿和
腹部刻穀紋，間以夔鳳紋及如意花瓣紋。應熊在雙筒之間，取諧音
「英雄」之吉意。《禮昏儀》：「共牢而食，合巹而酳」，因此又稱
明 玉雕「英雄」合巹杯 合巹杯。至明清時期已經成為宮廷珍貴陳設品。

Provenance:
An American private collection, acquired prior to 1967. 故宮博物院藏四件明代青玉英雄合巹杯，其中兩件為清宮舊藏，見
《故宮博物院藏品大系：玉器編7》，北京，2011年，圖版214-217。

來源：
美國私人收藏

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