Lot 56. A rare yellow jade archaistic vase, fanghu, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795). Estimate 500,000 — 700,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's.

of rectangular section, finely modelled with a central section with gently rounded sides rising from a splayed foot to a tall waisted neck and everted rim, the neck flanked by a pair of openwork chilong handles, below a raised band detailed with taotie masks and scrollwork motifs, all above bands of pendent and upright blades of leiwen patterns, the translucent stone of a warm yellow colour with attractive russet and milky-white inclusions concentrating particularly to one side; 13.8 cm, 5 3/8  in.

Provenance: Virginia Museum of Art, Richmond, Virginia.
Sotheby's New York, 24th March 1998, lot 347

Notes: Skilfully modelled with angled shoulders, this vase is notable for its luminous yellow stone, the quality of which has been accentuated by the subtly decorated surface, which further creates an attractive contrast to the finely carved and finished handles. Jade of this brilliant translucent yellow colouration was much favoured by the Qing Court for its association with the imperial colour of yellow.

A vase of similar shape was sold in our New York rooms, 14th September 2011, lot 364; and a larger example, but with ruyi-shaped handles, from the collection of Sir John Woolf, was included in the exhibition Masterpiece of Chinese Jade from the Woolf Collection, Sotheby’s, London, 2013, cat. no. 2.

Sotheby's. Roger Keverne - 50 Years in the Trade, Hong Kong, 05 oct. 2016, 10:00 AM