A rare and fine very pale green jade bowl, Qianlong. Photo: Bonhams

The attractive stone of even tone and smoothly carved as a bowl with slightly flaring rim and a shallow recessed base, the plain sides contrasting with a crisply carved chilong curling its body inside the central well and entwined with leafy tendrils, wood stand. 11.6cm (4½in) diam. (2). Estimate £60,000 - 80,000 (€74,000 - 98,000)

Provenance: Baron Fould-Springer, Royaumont Abbatial Palace, France
S. Marchant & Son Ltd., London
An English private collection

Notes: The style and quality of the present lot embodies much of the celebrated 18th century jade production under the Qianlong Emperor. The stone itself is of remarkably even tone, and this is deliberately celebrated by the carver creating the smooth walls of even thickness, and the unusual gently recessed base. The crisp carving to the interior provides a pleasing contrast, and this carving with its interwoven layers of leaves above and around the dragon, demonstrates the technical virtuosity of the master carver.

The technique of contrasting smoother areas with crisp relief carving was particularly favoured for the larger, often ring-handled, vessels known as 'marriage bowls', such as the magnificent example sold in these rooms, 16 May 2013, lot 143. The present piece is carved very much in similar vein, however it is unusual in its more intimate feel, sized to fit perfectly in two cupped hands, and the rounded flaring rim inviting the holder to look deeper inside the vessel.

A related dish with similarly crisp treatment of the relief carving, but with shallower sides of lobed petal-form, is illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade 8: Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, no.183. See also a similar bowl or brush washer with a double fish medallion in the well, illustrated by R.Kleiner in Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996 no.103, p.124.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART. London, New Bond Street, 15 May 2014 - http://www.bonhams.com/