Lot 1506. A fine and rare pair of white jade wine cups and quatrefoil stands, Qianlong period (1736-1795). Stands 4 3/8 in. (11 cm.) across, cups 2 3/8 in. (6 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 200,000 - USD 300,000. Price realised USD 386,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011.

Each cup of deep bell shape raised on a slightly flared ring foot that sits within a groove of the circular platform centering the quatrefoil stand with four flared petal-shaped lobes and raised on four shallow shaped supports, the semi-translucent stone of even pale greenish-white color, boxes. 

Provenance: S. Marchant & Son, London.
Madame Florence Van der Kamp Collection; Christie's, Paris, 13 June 2007, lot 34.

Note: The restrained use of decoration in the present lot effectively shows off the ideal beauty of the stone. The floral shape of the stands is characteristic of the artistic repertoire of the period, most commonly found on Mughal-style jades.

Closely related stands are published, one from the Sammy Chow collection, included in the exhibition, Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, no. 146; and another from the Gerald Godfrey collection, sold in our Hong Kong Rooms, 30 October 1995, lot 909.
Compare this set with two other cup and cup stand sets illustrated in Zhongguo Yuqi Quanji, vol. 6, pp. 15 and 16, the former of white jade and the latter of spinach jade, both with Qianlong marks and carved with chilong and clouds. See, also, a similar cup stand sold in these rooms, 22 March 2007, lot 130.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I and Part II Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, New York, 24 March 2011