An old Chinese hand carved white jade lidded vase, the flattened baluster body formed as two birds, their heads with beaks capturing the two ring handles, the dome lid with encircling lion finial. Height 19.5 cm. Provenance; Bears old label to the base printed with 'A & S Hartman Collection'. In 2006 Christie's Hong Kong conducted an auction of 'IMPORTANT CHINESE JADES FROM THE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF ALAN AND SIMONE HARTMAN'. Alan Hartman is an influential and respected dealer and collector. His father opened his first gallery in 1927 specializing in Oriental Art in New York and it was only natural for Alan Hartman to follow in his father's footsteps. At the age of 12, Alan Hartman acquired his first jade object, and his passion for the beautiful qualities of jade ever since has become evident. Together with his wife, Simone, whose artistic taste complements his vast experience in the field, the couple has formed what is undoubtedly one of the finest collections of Imperial jades in private hands