VesselsChinese18th-19th century

Jade Covered Tripod Censer with Two Dragon-Head Ring-Handles, the Cover with a Knob in the Form of a Lion and Cub

late 18th-early 19th century, possibly Qianlong period (1736-1795)

Description

A green jadeite covered tripod censer of oval quadralobed form, the censer with plain, highly polished sides and raised on three curved legs that issue from lion masks; each shoulder carved with a large, projecting handle in the form of a dragon head, each dragon’s antler-like horns curving back and its long beard curving down to form a loop from which is suspended an integrally carved, free-turning ring; the censer’s squared lip projects outward, as does that of the matching cover, whose lightly indented sides echo the censer’s quatrefoil form; the flat-topped cover sports a reticulated handle in the form of two integrally carved Buddhist lions, the mature female lion standing on all fours and with her head turned back to look over her shoulder and across her back to her cub, which stands with its front paws on its mother’s haunches and its back paws on the cover’s flat top; like the mature lion, the cub also is integrally carved in free-standing relief; the translucent, glassy jade of varying tones of bright green with coffee-hued white inclusions.

Classification

Vessels

Medium

Green jadeite, the vessel with inclusions of white albite

Culture

Chinese

Period

Qing dynasty, 1644-1911

Century

18th-19th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Asian Art

Dimensions

overall, with lid: H. 16.5 x W. 18.5 x D. 10.7 cm (6 1/2 x 7 5/16 x 4 3/16 in.)

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