Jade (jadeite), light green and with white veining
China, 20th century
Impressive relief carving
Thick walls with a dragon motif in relief on one side and a four-character mark on the other reading ‘Er Long Xi Zhu’ (Two dragons playing with the pearl)
Flanked by reticulated dragon handles
Accentuated foot featuring three linghzi masks with suspended ring handles and showing a stylized Ruyi bordure
The domed cover features a repetition of the dragon and linghzi symbol motif and six additional suspended rings
The cover crowned by a large, winding dragon
On openwork boxwood pedestal
Height: 22 cm; width: 25 cm
Excellent condition
Provenance: Private collection, Switzerland; offered in 1989 at Sotheby’s Hong Kong – see scan of catalogue entry at the pictures of the lot

This jade vessel and cover exhibits a perfectly shaped composition reminiscent of archaic bronzes. The love for archaic artworks lasted from the Song Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, encouraged by literati who took inspiration from classicism, but also by rich merchants who wished to establish an understanding for the old culture.



Condition: The vessel is in excellent condition and shows only minimal signs of age-related wear; the pedestal likewise. Despite the thickness of the material it is of translucent quality. The vessel is 27 cm high including the pedestal; 23 cm wide and 14 cm deep. The vessel alone is 22 cm high and 25 cm wide.

Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.