A Chinese carved spinach jade lidded vase

18th century

H: 12 1/8, W: 6 1/2, D: 4 in. (H: 30.8, W: 16.51, D: 10.16 cm.)

Provenance: Private collection, Southern California. A pair with Oakridge's September 18th, 2021 sale as lot 33.

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This spinach jade vase is complete with an ornamented lid, carved with a lotus flower pattern. The vase has a smooth lip surrounding the mouth and the entirety of the body appears slightly robust. Two handles are formed by carved plum flowers; blossoms and birds are carved in high relief on both sides of the body. At the bottom, a small bird perches on a plum branch, blooming with flowers. A second bird is perched at the shoulders with outstretched wings, as if preparing to take flight. The flow of the vase exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship and the care that was used in creating this piece. The vase is carved from a single piece of spinach jade, and is of the highest quality.

Christie’s, London, November 2, 2020, Lot 143.

帶蓋方瓶，頸短而寬，盤口，帶蓋，蓋紐雕飾蓮瓣紋，頂部飾蒲紋，腹微鼓，下部收斂，圈足，全器略扁而修長，頸兩側有數朵梅花做耳，器腹正反兩面雕飾梅花和雀鳥，一隻小鳥翹首引喙，圓目，立於一梅枝上，凸雕的梅花朵朵盛開，頗富生機，瓶肩部有另一隻鳥兒展翅，尾巴高高翹起，一足蹬踏，做蓄勢俯沖狀，畫面動靜結合，設計極為精巧絕妙，器物鏤空雕成，意趣盎然。全器以整塊碧玉雕成，呈草綠色，玉質光滑瑩潤，堅實緻密，胎壁厚薄均勻，包漿自然潤澤。器身紋理細膩，碧玉色澤深淺變化，錯落有致。造型規整而又極富裝飾效果，盡顯乾隆時期的皇家風範， 當為宮廷造辦處之佳作。

倫敦佳士得2020年11月2日售一件類似碧玉雕瓶，編號143