Page 256 - Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art II

VARIOUS PROPERTIES
2397
A SLENDER PALE GREENISH-WHITE JADE VASE
18TH CENTURY

The vase is raised on a low pedestal foot and is fnely carved
in low relief around the lower body with a formal band of
linked ruyi heads and on the shoulder with another ruyi band.
The neck is carved with bands of archaistic motifs between
the pair of dragon-scroll handles, and rises to a lipped rim.
The stone is of even tone and softly polished.
7 in. (17.8 cm.) high, wood stand

$70,000-90,000

PROVENANCE:

Private collection, Montreal, acquired in the 1960s

With the sparing low-relief carved decoration restricted to the
upper and lower borders of the vase the lapidary artist has left the
body of the vase uncarved to emphasize the natural beauty of the
unblemished white jade material.

The unusual attenuated form and thick mouth rim found on the
present vase appear to be related to incense tool vases produced
in various materials including cloisonné, bronze, lacquer and jade
during the Ming and Qing dynasties, but most notably during
the Qianlong period. The incense tool vase which accommodated
implements such as chopsticks and spatula for raking over ashes
would have been part of a garniture of three vessels, additionally
comprising a censer and an incense coil box, which would be an
integral part of the scholar’s desk.

The addition of the handles and the relatively large size of the
present vase, however, suggest that was made as a decorative
vase rather than a more utilitarian incense tool vase. A slightly
larger vase with a single raised band of low-relief carving on the
shoulder leaving much of the surface undecorated and a similarly
pronounced mouth rim is illustrated by R. Keverne in Jade, London,
1991, p. 151, fg. 56. Compare, also, a covered vase dated to the
18th century with closely related decoration of intertwined sashes
and ruyi head borders from the Collection of Baron George De
Menasce, sold at Doyle’s New York, 17 March 2014, lot 273.

清十八世紀 青白玉雕如意紋龍耳瓶

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