A Chinese carved white jade censer with taotie

18th century

Of a robust, round form with lotus petal finial and tripod scroll feet. With six carved elephant heads biting individually carved jade rings spaced throughout the taotie motifs; previous collector stickers to underside and to interior of lid.

H: 4 5/8, W: 4 3/4, D: 4 3/4 in.

H: 11.75, W: 12.06, D: 12.06 cm.

Provenance: Private collection, Southern California.

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Carved from a single bock of Hetian jade and raised on three legs, this censer features: a lotus-shaped knob to the lid, three sheep-headed rings to the shoulder, fretwork patterns to the neck, and three beast-headed rings to the body. The jade is decorated throughout with taotie motifs. Both the quality of the material and the skill of workmanship are exceptional; exemplifying typical courtly objects from the 18th century. References: The Palace Museum, No. 00096974; the National Palace Museum, No.001520N000000000; Christie's, Hongkong, December 2010, lot 3026; Sotheby's, Hongkong, April 2015, lot 3635.

此香爐為整塊和田籽料雕刻而成，蓋頂雕蓮花，蓋的肩部雕有三個羊首活環鈕，爐頸部雕有焦葉紋，爐身為三獸鈕活環，與爐蓋相互呼應。香爐整體雕有饕餮紋，底下三足。本品取料上乘，雕工精湛，仿古意味甚濃，是典型的十八世紀宮廷器，案頭陳設佳品。

故宮博物院館藏，編號新00096974；臺北故宮博物院館藏，編號故玉001520N000000000；佳士得拍賣2010年12月香港拍賣，編號3026；蘇富比拍賣2015年04月香港拍賣，編號3635