Lot 3279. A green jadeite censer and cover, Qing dynasty, 19th-early 20th century. Estimate 150,000 — 200,000 HKD. Lot sold 3,620,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's

the globular body raised on three cabriole legs issuing from mythical-beast heads, flanked by a pair of elaborately carved horned-animals heads suspending loose rings, the fitted domed cover surmounted with a knop in openwork, meticulously carved with three Buddhist lions surrounding a brocade ball, the largest lion grasping a ribbon in its mouth and resting its paw on the ball, the glassy stone of a variegated vibrant apple-green and dark green tones with a few coffee-colours inclusions; 15 cm., 5 7/8 in.

Provenance: An old Japanese collection, formed before the Second World War.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, Hong Kong, 04 Apr 2012