Lot 26. A malachite vase, Qing dynasty. Height 9 3/4  in., 25 cm. Estimate 8,000 — 12,000 USD. Lot sold 21,250 USD. Photo Sotheby's

formed from a natural piece of the botryoidal mineral, the tall irregular shape with perforations around the angled base, the surface polished to highlight the inherent designs and patterns in the stone, the hollow interior fitted with a pewter liner, with a wood stand carved in the form of gnarly entwined pine and prunus trees (2)

Note: An example of a brushpot or incense holder made from a natural piece of malachite, and dated from the Qing dynasty to early 20th century, from the Richard Rosenblum Collection was exhibited in Worlds Within Worlds, 1997, cat. no. 72. Another Qing dynasty example of a malachite flower receptacle was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 6th April 2015, lot 24.

Sotheby's. Monochrome, New York, 15 sept. 2015, 10:00 AM