CHINE, FIN DE LA DYNASTIE QING (1644-1911)

Details

'CHAMPION' VASE EN JADE BLANC SCULPTE
CHINE, FIN DE LA DYNASTIE QING (1644-1911)
Composé de deux vases tubulaires accolés, décorés de volutes archaïsantes, frises de pétales, motifs stylisés, joints entre eux par un aigle tenant un anneau mobile reposant sur une chimère/ours accroupie, socle en bois, petits rehauts de patine rouille ; couvercle manquant
Hauteur: 12,9 cm. (5 1/8 in.)

Provenance

Property from an important Swiss collection, acquired in the 1950's

Special notice

" f " : In addition to the regular Buyer’s premium, a commission of 7% (i.e. 7.49% inclusive of VAT for books, 8.372% inclusive of VAT for the other lots) of the hammer price will be charged to the buyer. It will be refunded to the Buyer upon proof of export of the lot outside the European Union within the legal time limit.(Please refer to section VAT refunds)

Further details

A CARVED WHITE JADE 'CHAMPION' VASE
CHINA, LATE QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

Brought to you by

Giulia Cuturi

gcuturi@christies.com +33 (0) 1 40 76 84 22

Lot Essay

The shape of this vase is sometimes known as 'champion's vase', an appellation translated from the Chinese, ying (eagle) and xiong (bear), describing the two beasts represented, but also forming the pun on the word for 'champion' or 'hero'. Alternatively, the vessel is also known as a 'nuptial cup', he jing bei. It is believed that during the Ming dynasty, it was used as a ritual wine vessel during the wedding ceremony. The double cylinders were filled with wine to be drunk by the bride and groom as part of the marriage rites.

See a spinach-jade double vase and cover in the Victoria and Albert Museum illustrated by M. Wilson, Chinese Jades, London, 2004, p. 105, pl. 103.

Compare also with a carved white jade 'champion' vase and cover from Qianlong period sold by Christie's Hong Kong, 27 November 2007, lot 1547.

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