Lot 104. A pale green jade 'chi dragon' cup, 14th-15th century, 16cm (6 1/4in) wide (2). Estimate HK$200,000 - 300,000 (US$26,000 - 39,000)). Sold for HK$ 437,500 (€50,202). Photo: Bonhams.

The deeply-hollowed U-shaped cup with straight sides, flanked by two confronted chi dragons forming handles, clambering over the sides with their front paws extended over the rim, the cup raised on a slightly flared circular foot, the semi-translucent stone of a pale-green tone with minor russet inclusions, fitted box. 

Note: The shape of the present lot is similar to that of qingbai glazed porcelain cups, made during the Southern Song and Yuan dynasties; see J.C.S. Lin, The Immortal Stone: Chinese Jades from the Neolithic Period to the Twentieth Century, Cambridge, 2009, p.69, pl.60. 

Compare a related pale green jade cup, first half 15th century, which entered the collection of Cardinal Mazarin between 1653-1661, in the Musée Guimet, Paris, illustrated by Tsao Huei-chung, Jade: From Emperors to Art Deco, Paris, 2016, no.175, where it is noted that it could be dated to as early as the Song dynasty. 

Coupe dite « Mazarin », Chine, Dynastie Ming (1368 - 1644), première moitié du 15e siècle © RMN-Grand Palais (musée Guimet, Paris) / Thierry Ollivier

Compare also another pale green jade cup, Ming dynasty, the chi dragon handles also with an elaborate horn, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade 7 Ming Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl.118. See also a related green jade faceted cup, Yuan dynasty, illustrated by Yang Boda, Zhongguo Yuqi Quanji, Hebei, 2005, no.185.

This form continued from the Southern Song dynasty to the Qing dynasty, as demonstrated by a related white jade octagonal cup with chi dragon handles, Qianlong seal mark and period, from the Qing Court collection, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade 10 Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl.147.

A similar but smaller white jade 'chilong' cup, 16th century (with a later spinach-jade stand), was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 6 April 2015, lot 248.

A white jade 'chilong' cup and a spinach jade cup stand, the cup Ming dynasty, 16th century, the cup stand later; The cup: 3 3/4 in. (12.1 cm.) across the handles, box. Sold for HKD 400,000 (USD 51,844) at Christie's Hong Kong, 6 April 2015, lot 248. © Christie's Images Ltd 2015

Bonhams.  FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 30 May 2017, 15:00 HKT - HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY