AN EXCEPTIONAL AND FINE CHINESE IMPERIAL WHITE JADE INCENSE BURNER AND COVER

AN EXCEPTIONAL AND FINE CHINESE IMPERIAL WHITE JADE INCENSE BURNER AND COVER
QIANLONG 1736-95

Based on the form of an archaic bronze gui, the low rounded body supported on a broad flared foot, subtly decorated in low relief to the shoulder with a narrow band of ruyi-heads, with two slender S-shaped handles rising from the sides, the domed cover surmounted by a compressed circular knop, the finial carved with narrow petals radiating from a central medallion incised with swirling petals, the translucent stone of a superb even white tone, 13.1cm wide. (2)

Provenance: the Lawrence Collection of jades and hardstone carvings, purchased from Spink & Son prior to 1959.

The beauty of this object lies essentially in the quality of the stone. The Chinese rank jades according to their colour tones, with the most prized jades being the yangzhiyu, 'mutton fat' nephrite that is sourced from the rivers in Khotan. The jade carver used nephrite of the highest quality, and kept a simplicity in its design. The collector's appreciation derives from the creamy-tone of the jade and its simple form.

Cf. J Li, Chinese Jades Throughout the Ages - Connoisseurship of Chinese Jades, vol.12, pp.186-187, no.93 for a related incense burner and cover in the collection of the Palace Museum carved in jade of a comparable high quality; see also Asian Art I, 18th May 2011, lot 471 for an Imperial Qianlong period white jade teapot and cover previously sold in these rooms, which was worked in similarly high quality stone.

清乾隆 御製白玉雕如意紋香爐

來源：勞倫斯珍藏玉石，1959年前購於Spink & Son。