A remarkable green Alps Jade campagna vase on stand.

Italy circa 1820.

Height 16 inches.

For me Alps jade has almost magical connotations. We first see it being used to make ceremonial hand axes in the neolithic period. The stone was extremely hard to quarry being high up in the mountains, in cold and very awkward locations. consequently It is not a common material by any means. It is semi translucent and very difficult to carve. A piece made to this scale is a lapidary achievement of the highest order.