Lot 3959. A finely carved white jade marriage bowl, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 10 in. (25.5 cm.) across handles. Estimate 3,000,000 - HKD 4,000,000. Price realised HKD 3,860,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012.  

The bowl with high rounded sides is supported on four splayed ruyi-form feet, flanked on either side by an elaborately carved winged-dragon forming the handles. Each outward-facing dragon is depicted with its horns flanking the broad mouth rim, above the outstretched wings, its neck emerging into a loop, with a loose circular ring. The interior is well-hollowed. The even semi-translucent stone has areas of minor opaque speckling.

Provenance: Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 December 2009, lot 2010.

Note: Bowls of this type known as 'marriage' bowls, and with their carefully chosen auspicious decoration were popular in the Qing dynasty, especially under the reign of the Qianlong Emperor.

The unusual handles of this censer depict winged-dragons. The winged-dragon, representative of Imperial power, first emerged as a decorative motif on blue and white ceramics of the Ming dynasty Xuande period, and made a brief re-emergence in the Yongzheng period. It is possible that the present dragon motif was influenced by those painted on ceramics. Compare with a Yongzheng-marked dragon dish, sold at Christie's New York, 22 March 2007, lot 336.