CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, ÉPOQUE QIANLONG (1736-1795)

The combination of the dragon and phoenix is from Daoism, and represents sagacity, long life and benevolence. A closely related 'dragon and phoenix' vase group from the Harvard University Art Museum, is illustrated in Hai-Wai Yi-Chen, Chinese Art in Overseas Collections, Jade I, National Palace Museum, Taiwan, no. 153. Compare also the climbing dragon on a vase carved in openwork, with a similar 'flaming pearl' supported on cloud scrolls, illustrated by S.C. Nott, The Flowery Kingdom, New York, 1947, p. 163, pl. LXXVIII.
See a smaller yellow jade and russet zun vase (10.2 cm), also decorated with a dragon and a phoenix carved in high relief, in the collection of the Fogg Art Museum, Havard University, illustrated by James C.Y. Watt in Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, New York, 1980, pp. 168-169, no. 143.