A pair of carved jadeite gu vases with taotie motif, Qing dynasty. Photo Sotheby's

each modelled after the gu vase and of rectangular section, the centre section with rounded sides resting on a hollow splayed foot and surmounted by a tall everted neck, the front and reverse carved in low relief with a taotie mask formed of angular scrollwork, above the foot decorated with two confronting kui dragons, the neck similarly carved in low relief with four dragons, the translucent stone of a icy-green tone, one with lavendar on the side and amber inclusions cleverly carved into foliate dragons, the other with a russet vein, wood stands; 29.4 cm., 11 5/8 in. Estimate 800,000 — 1,200,000 HKD

Provenance: Sotheby's New York, 7th/8th April 1988, lot 134.

Note: A closely related pair of vases was sold at Christie's London, 16th December 1996, lot 176; another similar pair was sold at Christie's Hong Kong 29th September 1992, lot 882. The archaistic form and design of these pieces reflect the aesthetic trend of the Qing dynasty, and vases of this type were also produced in other media; see, for example, a jade vase sold in our London rooms, 12th June 1990, lot 72; and a pair of cloisonné vases sold at Christie's New York, 19th September 2007, lot 171.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong | 08 Apr 2014 - www.sothebys.com