Lot 2722. A very fine small white jade tripod censer and cover, Qing dynasty; 16.5 cm., 6 1/2 in. Estimate 2,000,000 — 3,000,000 HKD. Lot Sold 3,140,000 HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's 2010.

the compressed globular body rising from three short cabriole legs to a broad flanged rim, set to the shoulder with a pair of pierced lingzhi root handles suspending loose rings, the domed cover surmounted by a pair of Buddhist high-relief lions playing with a brocade ball, the well polished opaque stone of even white tone.

Note: This censer is exceptional for the superb quality of the material which is of a flawless and even white colouration. No similar example appears to have been recorded, however in its form and style of carving a related example is illustrated in S. Howard Hansford, Jade – Essence of Hills and Streams, Johannesburg, 1969, p. 141, no. D33, and was sold at Christie's London, 12th May 2009, lot 69.

The jade employed for the present censer most probably came from the jade-rich territories of Khotan and Yarkand, an area opened after the Qing army's conquest of the north-western territories. Jade imported from this Central Asian region was of the highest quality, thus allowing carvers in the Palace to produce wares of the purest and brightest white colouration. Further examples of white jade censers of similar tripod form with a plain body and carved handles and knop, include two sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27th May 2008, lot 19, and the other, 27th April 1997, lot 3; and another, but with four ring handles, from the Su Lin An collection sold in these rooms, 31st October 1995, lot 331.

The carved decoration endows the present censer with auspicious meaning. The two lions on the cover illustrate the pun taishi shaoshi, expressing the wish that one and one's descendants will achieve high rank, while the handles carved with lingzhi, or the 'fungus of immortality', symbolises longevity.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, 08 Oct 10 11:00 AM, Hong Kong