Pair of spinach-green jade “Taotie” Gu vases, Qing dynasty

A fine pair of intensely veined spinach-green jade vases carved in the form of a gu, a type originally made in bronze during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. They consist of a tall truncated cone-shaped foot, a central globular body and a flaring neck that widens towards the mouth. Each section of the vase is richly decorated. The neck has four elongated bands in relief, formed by stepped lines that culminate in a border of leiwen fretwork. The central body is finely carved with taotie motifs, with scrolls, spiralling geometric forms and details that add dynamism to the whole. The lower part of the body and the foot are decorated with vertical sections delineated by alternating panels in low relief, decorated with linear motifs. The texture of the jade has been polished to a lustrous finish that enhances the translucency and richness of the colour.

Both vases rest on carved wooden bases, square with projecting corners and claw feet, finely decorated with fretwork scrolls, geometric borders and a double stepped moulding. Qing dynasty (1644-1912) or later.

Size: 25.5 x 8.3 x 8.3 cm (each)

Jade weight: 1600 g