A yellow jade archaistic ewer and cover, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795)
Lot 3728. A yellow jade archaistic ewer and cover, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 10.6 cm., 4 1/8 in. Estimate 500,000 — 800,000 HKD. Lot Sold 1,960,000 HKD (199,890 EUR). Photo Sotheby’s
of archaistic yi form, the compressed globular body supported on a low stepped foot and rising to a slightly waisted neck and everted mouthrim, set to one side opposite the spout with a handle in the form of a stylised dragon, the cover carved with a stylised crouching dragon behind two capped finials, the stone of a greenish-yellow colour mottled with russet inclusions.
Note: The form of this exquisite yellow jade ewer is inspired by the archaic bronze wine vessel, yi. The luminous yellow colour of the stone is accentuated through the plain and finely finished surfaces, which contrast effectively with the sinuous forms of the handle and crouching beast surmounting the cover. A slightly larger vessel of this type, from the collection of Kenneth Snowman, was sold in our London rooms, 13th June 2003, lot 1017. See also a yellow jade vessel of slightly elongated shape, illustrated in Chinese Jades in the Avery Brundage Collection, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, San Francisco, 1977, pl. 58.