AN UNUSUAL GREEN JADE "CHAMPION VASE" BOTTLE

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AN UNUSUAL GREEN JADE "CHAMPION VASE" BOTTLE
18TH/19TH CENTURY

Carved in the form of two cylinders inscribed with an allover C-scroll design, separated by a phoenix suspending a loose ring from its beak while standing atop a recumbent mythical beast, their tails visible on the reverse, the stone of mottled spinach green color, agate stoppers

Lot Essay

It is highly unusual to find a so-called "Champion Vase" of this size. The name derives from a pun on the words ying (falcon) and hsiung (bear), supposedly the bird and animal which center and support the vessel