China. Of lobed melon form supported on a tall foot, the sides finely carved with lotus blossoms, plantain leaves, and scrolling vines, the foot further carved with floral designs. The semi-translucent stone of a deep green tone with dark specks as well as lighter and darker striations.

Provenance: From the collection of a gentleman in London, United Kingdom, who has been collecting Asian works of art for the last 50 years. A label to the base, ‘Antique Jade Spinich [sic!] carved archaic vessel 18/19^th century’. An inventory number, ‘217.14.QT’, lacquered to the mouth. An old price label, ‘HC 102 BIR 2’’ $160’. An inventory number, ‘22’ lacquered to the base.
Condition: Very good condition with expected old wear, few small nicks, the stone with natural inclusions and fissures, some of which have developed into hairline cracks. The wood stand with minor wear.

Weight: 305.4 g (excl. stand), 331.5 g (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 7.7 cm (excl. stand), 10.1 cm (incl. stand)

With a fitted and reticulated wood stand supported on four short feet, dating from the Qing dynasty. (2)

This austere form, sometimes also referred to as chi kou zun, appears to derive from the earthenware originals, popular during the Shang and Zhou eras, as 'A Dictionary of Chinese Ceramics' by Wang Qingzheng, page 45, refers. This genre oscillates between the shape offered here, and the more conventional stem cup forms of gao zu bei and ba bei. Interestingly, both are known in gray jade from examples made during the Ming dynasty, but never before has a version carved from spinach green jade appeared on the market, at least not to the knowledge of this author. For an example of the gao zu bei form in gray hue, see No.2823 of the 1935-36 International Exhibition of Chinese Art at The Royal Academy, lent to the Exhibition by Major General Sir Neil Malcolm.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Remotely related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 3 December 2015, lot 39
Price: HKD 312,500 or approx. EUR 44,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare spinach-green jade 'heavenly bird' jar, Zun, Qianlong/Jiaqing
Expert remark: Compare the related color of the jade and the similarly detailed floral carving. Note the additional bird heads and the slightly larger size (10.1 cm).



十七至十八世紀罕見纏枝蓮紋棱花口碧玉尊
中國，分瓣瓜形，高足，開光雕刻纏枝蓮花與芭蕉葉紋，足部刻有花卉紋。深綠色調的半透明玉料，帶有深色斑點以及條紋。

來源：英國倫敦紳士收藏，其收藏至少超過五十年歷史。底部標籤上可見 ‘Antique Jade Spinich [sic!] carved archaic vessel 18/19th century’，口部寫著一個收藏編號 ‘217.14.QT’，舊價格標籤 ‘HC 102 BIR 2’’ $160’，底部寫著一個收藏編號 ‘22’。
品相：狀況極好，有磨損，輕微小刻痕，玉石内有天然内沁和裂隙，其中一些已經發展成細裂紋。木架有輕微磨損。

重量：305.4 克 (不含底座)，331.5 克 (含底座)
尺寸：高7.7 厘米 (不含底座)，10.1 厘米 (含底座)

清代四足木底座。(2)

拍賣結果比較：
形制：稍微相近
拍賣：香港邦瀚斯，2015年12月3日，lot 39
價格：HKD 312,500（相當於今日EUR 44,000）
描述：清乾隆/嘉慶碧玉天雞尊
專家評論：比較相近玉石顏色，以及相似的纏枝蓮花雕刻。請注意此玉尊有三頭，以及尺寸 (10.1 厘米)較大。

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