A fine white and russet jade vase and cover18th centuryThe deftly-hollowed vase of square baluster form, intricately carved around the exterior in low relief with archaistic taotie-masks between a border of florets and ruyi-shaped plantain leaves, the neck flanked by a pair of elephant-head loop handles, with stepped cover beneath a square finial, the flaring foot beside craggy rocks issuing young bamboo and blossoming chrysanthemums cleverly highlighted in russet, the stone of pale white tone, wood stand, box. 12.8cm (5in) high (4).注脚十八世紀 白玉帶皮仿古紋雙耳蓋瓶The present lot is rich in auspicious symbolism. The elephant handles for example, together with the vase form a rebus. The 'vase' (ping 瓶) which puns with 'peace' (ping 平), and elephant (xiang 象) which also means 'sign' or 'portent', forms a rebus for the phrase taiping youxiang (太平有象), meaning 'Where there is peace, there is a sign (or elephant)'.The chrysanthemums carved on the side of the vase are also laden with meaning. They are closely associated with Autumn and the hermetic poet Tao Qian (365-427 AD). After leaving office to avoid the troubles of the mundane world, Tao Qian returned to his rustic estate and planted chrysanthemums. Since then, the chrysanthemum has come to symbolise the literatus ideal of tranquil solitude in one's Autumn years. Chrysanthemums are also closely associated with the 'Double Ninth' festival (occurring on the ninth day of the ninth month). Originating in the Han dynasty, it marks the day when Chinese families gather to pay respect to their departed ancestors. It was customary to climb a high mountain, drink chrysanthemum wine and visit the ancestral grave while praying for long life.The archaistic taotie-mask patterns on the exterior also reflect the 18th century and specifically the Qianlong emperor's fascination and taste for antiquity. Compare with a related green jade vase with rocks and flowers, Qing dynasty, illustrated in the Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade, 10, Beijing, 2011, p.65, no.38.Compare also with a related but larger pale green jade vase and cover, Qianlong, which was sold at Sotheby's London, 8 November 2017, lot 22.