A fine and rare  white and russet jade, archaistic flat-backed vase and coser. Qing dynasty, Qianlong period. Photo Sotheby's

the slender semi-circular vase decorated with a band of studded bosses below the shoulder and short neck, supported on the neck of a goose with its head tucked along the side of the vase, set opposite a curved handle emerging from the mouth of a beast, the flat reverse side carved in low relief with a gnarled pine tree with twisted branches and entwined vines, the stone of a white milky tone with natural russet inclusions to the backside, fitted jade cover overall 13.5 cm., 5 1/4 in. Estimation 600,000-800,000 HKD. Lot vendu: 620,000 HKD

PROVENANCE: Acquired in Paris between the 1970s and the early 90s.

NOTE DE CATALOGUE: Vessels in the form of birds are known in China from as early as the Neolithic period, as seen in a red-pottery birdshaped jar from the Qijia culture (c. 2050-1700 BC), unearthed in Guanghe county, Gansu province, in the Muwen Tang collection, illustrated in Simon Kwan, Chinese Neolithic Pottery, Hong Kong, 2005, pl. 90. This design continued to be adopted and adapted in accordance to the style and developments of the times that the pieces were produced. The carver of the present piece has cleverly made use of a long flat piece of jade by selecting a subject that would perfectly suit the shape of the stone so as to waste as little of the precious material as possible. The neck of the bird curves up to create a stable base for the vase while the rounded body perfectly suits the gentle swell of that of the bird. Moreover, the russet skin of the stone has been retained on the reverse that serves to highlight the unique contrast between subject, texture and colour.

For a similarly conceived vase and cover see one carved in the form of a phoenix, its crested neck turned to one side and wings carved on the other side, sold in our London rooms, 11th July 1967, lot 19.

Sotheby's. A Private Collection of Scholarly and Imperial Works of Art. Hong Kong | 04 avr. 2012 www.sotheby's.com