Lot 3278. A green jadeite censer and cover, Qing dynasty, 19th-early 20th century. Estimate 250,000 — 350,000 HKD. Lot sold 980,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's.

the compressed globular body raised on three cabriole legs in the form of lion paws issuing from mythical-beast heads, flanked at the sides by a pair of elaborately carved dragon-head handles suspending loose rings, the reticulated domed cover surmounted with a knop in openwork, meticulously carved with dragon coiled on a disk with four peonies around suspending loose rings, the stone of bright apple-green tone with patches of white; 16 cm., 6 5/16 in.

Provenance: An old Japanese collection, formed before the Second World War.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, Hong Kong, 04 Apr 2012