Lot 221. A small white jade 'archaistic' vase, Qianlong four-character mark and of the period (1736-1795); 12.9cm (5 1/8in) high. Sold for HK$ 502,500 (€ 57,098) (Estimate HK$ 400,000 - 600,000). © Bonhams 2001-2021

Of flattened form, the elongated ovoid body supported on a short foot and rising to a slender waisted neck and lipped rim, the neck flanked by a pair of opposing archaistic kui-dragons carved in openwork, the body carved in low relief with a taotie mask band below a band of smaller taotie mask, the softly polished stone of pale-celadon tone with mottled white inclusions.

Provenance: Ralph Chait Galleries, New York, acquired in the 1980s

Note: The present jade vase would have been part of a three-piece garniture comprising an incense burner, vase and incense box, often known as the 'Three Accessories' or Sanshi. See an example of such a set in the Qing Court Collection, with a small white jade vase of similar form also decorated with taotie masks, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware (II), Shanghai, 2008, no.11.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Works of Art, Hong Kong, 2 Dec 2021