A VERY FINE SPINACH-GREEN JADE VASE, COVER AND WATERPOT GROUP Qianlong (4)A VERY FINE SPINACH-GREEN JADE VASE, COVER AND WATERPOT GROUPQianlongExquisitely carved as an elegant baluster vase flanked by a pair of scroll-handles on the neck, the stepped cover surmounted by a Buddhist-lion finial, all beside a phoenix with finely incised feathers clasping a sprig of peaches in its beak and standing on a large gnarled branch issuing plum blossoms, magnolia, and auspicious lingzhi fungus curling around a small quatrefoil waterpot, the stone of dark green tone with black speckles, carved wood stand, box. 22cm (8 1/2in) long. (4).清乾隆 碧玉雕鳳倚寶瓶擺件Provenance: Christie's London, 7 October 1968, lot 147Sydney L. Moss Ltd., LondonA distinguished English private collection來源：倫敦佳士得，1968年10月7日，拍品編號147倫敦古董商Sydney L. Moss Ltd.英國顯赫私人收藏The present lot was most likely made for the scholar's study. Since at least the Ming dynasty, curios and other meaningful 'playthings' appreciated for their aesthetic beauty and associations with ancient traditions were popular with scholar-collectors. This trend continued in the Qing dynasty and at Court, where the early Qing emperors were well versed in literati culture. At no time was this inclination more prevalent than during the Qianlong emperor's rule. With the Imperial workshops at his command, the Qianlong emperor commissioned numerous works of art for his study and enjoyment. This carving has transformed a ritual vessel into an object of pure ornament, conveying good wishes for happiness, health and wealth, expressed by the peaches, lingzhi fungus, and phoenix. See a related spinach-green jade vase group and cover, with design of phoenix and dragon, Qing dynasty, in the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in the Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade, 10, Beijing, 2011, pp.72-73, no.44. See also a vase group with celestial bird in rock crystal, Qianlong, with similarly-shaped vase and handles, illustrated in Art of China: Highlights from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, New Haven and London, 2018, no.89.