Lot 33. An exquisite pair of white jade cups and stands, Qianlong period (1736-1795).Each cup: 8.5cm (3 3/8in) diam. (2); stand: 12.3cm (4 7/8in) diam. (2). (7). Sold for HKD 2,019,000 (Estimate HKD 1,500,000 - HKD 2,000,000). © Bonhams 2001-2022
Each cup of deep bell shape raised on a ring foot that sits within the circular platform centering the stand formed by eight flared petal-shaped lobes, all on a flower-shaped footrim, the finely polished semi-translucent stone of pure white tone, one stand with natural russet markings, box.
Provenance: A highly important private Swiss family collection, purchased in the 1950s
Marchant, London
A distinguished Asian private collection.
Exhibited and illustrated: 90th Anniversary Exhibition Ninety Jades for 90 Years, Marchant, London, 2015, cat.no.85
Note: The present pair of jade cups is elegantly decorated to best show off the superb quality of the stone which is evenly white and flawless. The floral elements of the stand are characteristic of the artistic repertoire of the period, most commonly found on Mughal-style jades. However it is extremely rare to find a pair of white jade cups and only a handful of examples appear to have been published. A closely related white jade 'shou' tea bowl with a petal-shaped saucer in the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The World Rejoices As One: Celebrating Imperial Birthdays in the Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2015, p.277, no.167; a pair of related white jade tea cups in the Palace Museum collection, illustrated in ibid., no.168; compare also to a pair of white jade cups and stands, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware, Hong Kong, 1995, pp.250-251, nos.205-206. A pair of Qianlong white jade cups and stands, previously in the collection of Mrs. Florence Van der Kamp, was sold at Christie's New York, 24 March 2011, lot 1506.
Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, Hong Kong, 30 November 2022
