A RARE AND LARGE BLACKISH-GREEN JADE ARCHAISTIC GONG-FORM VESSEL AND COVERThe vessel and cover are carved with zoomorphic features and archaistic motifs, including a bird-like animal protruding from the front of the body and the sides with scrolling serpentine beasts in high relief against a leiwen ground. The handle is surmounted by a humanoid head crowned with a pair of blade-like projections, and is supported on two firmly planted paw feet. The cover is carved at the front with a beast with large curved horns and at the back with a bovine mask with large pointed horns, the sides with two felines against a leiwen ground. The stone is of a deep blackish-green tone with white speckling throughout. The base is inscribed with a Qianlong fanggu mark.14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm.), softwood stand