A JADE VASE AND COVER OF ARCHAISTIC FANGHU SHAPE CHINA, LATE QING DYNASTY it rests on a tall and recessed spread foot and has an elongated and flattened egg-shaped body surmounted by a waisted neck flanked by two mythical beast shaped handles with loose rings. It is topped by a dome-shaped lid carved with stylized cicadas. The body is carved in low-relief with patterns arranged in superposed registers: the lower one depicts stylized cicadas; the middle one depicts taotié masks; the upper one depicts stylized banana leaves. The inner part is well hollowed. Affixed to a matching parcel reticulated wooden stand. H (stand included): 18 cm Gross weight: 312,8 grams Note: A vase can represent the meaning of ‘peace’ or ‘safety’ because both the character for vase (ping - 瓶) and that for peace (pingan - 平安) are pronounced ‘ping’. Taotie masks are a design that first appeared during the Shang Dynasty on ritual bronze food vessels. This vase reveals the taste for antiques and for jade carvings shaped after archaic vessels that was predominant during the Qianlong period. Indeed, the Emperor had amassed enormous ancient bronzes, which decorated halls and became a scenery in the Qing palaces like his other precious collections and sustained research effort - spanned sixty years during the Qianlong reign - resulted in three catalogues of imperial bronze collection. 仿古玉制方壶瓶 中国，晚清 NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.