Lot 1698. An imperial white jade 'dragon' vase, Qianlong period (1736- 1795); 9 in. (23 cm.) high. Estimate 800,000 - HKD 1,000,000. Price realised HKD 3,607,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2008.

Well carved in relief to each side of the flattened vase with a medallion enclosing a coiled full-faced five-clawed dragon amidst scrolling clouds, the waisted neck and flattened sides carved with bats holding peach sprigs amidst a dense ground of ruyi clouds, the neck flanked by a pair of dragon mask handles grasping a fixed ring formed as flames, all supported on a splayed rectangular foot with further cloud scrolls, the material is of an even white tone.

Provenance: An Italian Private Collection
Orlando a Limestre.

Note: Cf. a white jade covered vase of the same shape and decoration but with handles suspending loose rings, illustrated by M. Tregear and S.Vainker, Art Treasures in China, 1993, p.257; and another example included in the 75th Anniversary Exhibition of Post-Archaic Chinese Jades from Private Collections, S Marchant & Son, London, 2007, Catalogue, no.14. Compare also a similar vase and cover from the collection of Sir John Buchanan-Jardine, included in the International Exhibition of Chinese Art, 1935-6, Royal Academy of Arts, London, Catalogue, no. 2389 and another white jade vase on permanent display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art illustrated in The Bishop Collection. Investigations and Studies in Jade, edited by George F. Kunz, New York, 1996 and reproduced by Christie's Hong Kong, 27 November 2007, lot 1887.