the globular body carved with vertical ribs and supported on a spreading foot, the sides set with a pair of loop handles each issuing from a beast's mask and suspending a shaped tab, the waisted neck punctuated with taotie masks and vertical flanges in high relief against a ground incised with kuilong, the foot with similar flanges against an incised abstract motif, the stone an even pale green color, wood stand (2)

Marchant, London, 20th March 2008.

The censer is in overall good condition with only minor wear consistent with age and use, including minute nicks to the foot, the lower flanges, and the tabs of the handles, and small pits to the interior of the body. Please note that this lot includes a stand, frame or other component made from a type of Chinese hardwood, which, if exported, will require a CITES permit to leave the United States.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Compare a Ming dynasty celadon jade gui-form censer of comparable design and with the same style of beast-mask handles in the collection of the Tianjin City Art Museum that is published in Yang Boda, Zhongguo yuqi quan ji [The Complete Compilation of Chinese Jades], vol.2, Shijiazhuang, 2005, pl. 238; a similar Ming dynasty censer in the collection of the Palace Museum, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware, vol. 2, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 182; and two censers of this type attributed to the 13th - 15th century exhibited in Jade throughout the ages, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1975, cat. nos 328-329.