A SPINACH-GREEN JADE ALTAR INCENSE SET

THE PROPERTY OF A LADY

Details

A SPINACH-GREEN JADE ALTAR INCENSE SET
18TH/19TH CENTURY

Comprising: an archaistic incense burner and cover, of square section with columnar corners carved with bands of snake-like creatures above ruyi lappets and shou characters, the sides with phoenix-head loose-ring handles, the cover with a dragon standing with each foot on a chilong at the corners--5¼in. (13.3cm.) high; a slender vase of square section similarly carved with snake-like creatures on a central band below pendent lappets at the neck, small chip to neck--4 7/8in. (12.5cm.) high; and an incense box and cover of rounded rectangular shape with columnar corners, the top carved with stylized scrolling--2 3/8in. (6cm.) wide (3)

Lot Essay

A similar dark green jade altar incense set, of Qianlong date, is illustrated in Zhongguo Meishu Quanji, Gongyi Meishu, Yuqi, vol. 9, Beijing, 1986, no. 320

Two incense burners of this type are in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, illustrated by d'Argencé in Chinese Jades in the Avery Brundage Collection, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, 1977, pl. LV. And a similar jadeite example was sold at Christie's Swire, Hong Kong, October 25, 1993, lot 1014

The small vase, of cun shape, most likely held the implements for manipulating the incense, a spatula and a pair of sticks, and a similar white jade example was included in the exhibition, Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, The Asia Society, 1980, Catalogue no. 144