A SPINACH-GREEN JADE 'CHAMPION' VASE AND COVER

QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

A SPINACH-GREEN JADE 'CHAMPION' VASE AND COVER
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
The double-vases are conjoined by an eagle and a bear, both with outstretched wings. The top of the conjoined domed covers are carved with lappet-bands, joined by a finial in the form of an archaistic scroll.
7¼ in. (18.5 cm.) high

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Lot Essay

This type of vessel with the combination of eagle and bear is known as 'champion vases', as the Chinese names for eagle, ying, and for bear, xiong, provide the homophones for 'champion', ying xiong. These vases are also known as the 'nuptial cups', he jing bei, used as ritual wine cups for wedding ceremonies in the Ming dynasty.

Compare a spinach-green jade 'champion' vase in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, illustrated by M. Wilson, Chinese Jades, London, 2004, p. 105, pl.103. Also see a white jade 'champion' vase from the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 27 November 2007, lot 1547.

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