Lot 3958. A fine carved white jade censer and cover, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 10 in. (25.4 cm.) wide. Estimate 8,000,000 - HKD 10,000,000. Price realised HKD 9,020,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012.  

The rounded censer rests on four cabriole legs and is flanked by a pair of elaborately carved and pierced handles in the form of a ruyi cloud enclosing a Shou character supported on lingzhi branches. The sides are each embellished with a pair of fish supporting lingzhi and a Wan symbol. The domed cover is surmounted by a circular waisted finial adorned with five bats encircling a Shou character, the rounded sides with three knobs in the form of paired bats. The stone is of an even white tone with milky inclusions, box.

Note: Compare with a white jade censer of similar shape and with a domed cover decorated with stylised bats, from the De An Tang Collection, illustrated in A Romance With Jade, Beijing, 2004, p, 170, pl. 107. Another comparable white jade censer of smaller size, carved with dragon handles and taotie mask design, was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 June 2011, lot 3564.