Lot 1684. A small pale greyish-green jade archaistic vase, Song-Ming dynasty, 13th-15th century; 4½ in. (11.4 cm.) high. Estimate USD 6,000 - USD 8,000. Price realised USD USD 13,750. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011

Of oval section and pear shape, raised on a tall foot encircled by two narrow raised bands, the body carved in raised thread relief with a pendent petal frieze below a band of archaistic scrolls interrupted by a pair of animal mask handles, the flared upper neck carved with four upright blades filled with angular scrolls, the stone semi-translucent and with some brown fissures and opaque mottling, wood stand. 

Provenance: Spink & Son Ltd., London, 1976.

Note: The unusual petal frieze on the body of this vase is similar to that seen on a small cup, raised on a similar tall foot encircled by two narrow plain bands, in the collection of Desmond Gure, included in the O.C.S. exhibition, The Arts of the Sung Dynasty, London, 16 June - 23 July 1960, pl. 87, no. 288. A jade archaistic vase of comparable size and shape, with elephant head rather than animal head handles, also in the Gure Collection, included in the same exhibition, pl. 87, no. 282, has a similar foot, but the bands are rope twist rather than plain. The petal frieze can also been seen on an archaistic jade pouring vessel, dated 13th-15th century, included in the O.C.S. exhibition, Chinese Jade throughout the ages, London, 1 May - 22 June 1975, p. 97, no. 311.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I and Part II Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, New York, 24 March 2011