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Lot Essay
The compressed pear-shaped vases are well carved in low relief on both sides with intertwined, ribbon-like bodies of three dragons. The neck is decorated with a band of upward lappets and flanked by a pair of dragon-head handles. The oval domed covers are surmounted by flower-form finials. The stone is of an exceptionally even, luminous white tone with a remarkably smooth, well-polished texture
While the silhouette of these vases draws inspiration from archaic bronzes, it is their carved decoration that most vividly echoes ancient ritual vessels. During the Qianlong period, the Emperor took great interests in antiquities and a variety of works of art rendered in different media, such as jade carvings, found their inspiration from treasures that were already collected within the Forbidden Palace, such as the bronze hu dating to the Zhou dynasty, illustrated in the woodblock printed catalogue Xiqing Gujian (Inspection of Antiques) (fig. 1), which was published under the auspices of the Qianlong Emperor. The present pair adheres to these archaistic references in both form and motif, exquisitely rendered from jade of superior quality and set on fitted champlevé enamel stands, further accentuating their exalted imperial status.
A white jade fang vessel of related archaistic form, also featuring upright lappets around the neck and intertwined dragon motifs on the main body, is preserved in the Palace Museum, Taipei, collection no.: guyu002843N (fig. 2). For another related white jade vase caved with similar decoration on the body in the Qing Court collection, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, p. 180, no. 147 (fig. 3). Compare also a single white jade archaistic vase and cover of similar shape, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28 May 2013, lot 2135 (fig. 4).
While the silhouette of these vases draws inspiration from archaic bronzes, it is their carved decoration that most vividly echoes ancient ritual vessels. During the Qianlong period, the Emperor took great interests in antiquities and a variety of works of art rendered in different media, such as jade carvings, found their inspiration from treasures that were already collected within the Forbidden Palace, such as the bronze hu dating to the Zhou dynasty, illustrated in the woodblock printed catalogue Xiqing Gujian (Inspection of Antiques) (fig. 1), which was published under the auspices of the Qianlong Emperor. The present pair adheres to these archaistic references in both form and motif, exquisitely rendered from jade of superior quality and set on fitted champlevé enamel stands, further accentuating their exalted imperial status.
A white jade fang vessel of related archaistic form, also featuring upright lappets around the neck and intertwined dragon motifs on the main body, is preserved in the Palace Museum, Taipei, collection no.: guyu002843N (fig. 2). For another related white jade vase caved with similar decoration on the body in the Qing Court collection, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, p. 180, no. 147 (fig. 3). Compare also a single white jade archaistic vase and cover of similar shape, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28 May 2013, lot 2135 (fig. 4).