Page 31 - Bonhams Chinese Works of Art June 2015 Hong Kong

The powerful yet benevolent carving of the qilin is particularly 此麒麟體態雄健，造型生動凜冽，以十七世紀玉器的用料和製作水平
rare not only for its impressive size and the superb craftsmanship 上而言，均讓人讚歎。此玉色澤和雕刻風格呈現清代早期之風，但也
demonstrated in its all round detailed carving, but also for the early 不能排除其為明晚期之作品。
depiction of this subject matter, more prevalent in later periods. The
colour of the stone and style of the carving indicate an early Qing 麒麟主太平、長壽，有吉祥和幸福的象徵。據記載，伏羲、舜、孔子
dynasty dating, although a late Ming date cannot be ruled out. 等聖人都伴有麒麟出現，並帶來神的指示，最終指引勝利。本玉器雕
有「麒麟吐玉書」之圖案，據說孔子誕生之前，有麒麟吐玉書於其家
The qilin represents a number of positive attributes including 院，故也有「麒麟送子」之說。
benevolence, longevity, grandeur, felicity, illustrious offspring and
wise administration. It is considered a good omen as it is said to 其他十八世紀的相關例子，見《故宮博物院藏文物珍品大系：玉器
appear only during the reign of a benevolent ruler. However, the （下）》，香港，1995年，頁114，編號94（22厘米寬）；也見
particular symbolism represented by the mythical beast carrying R.Keverne編，《Jade》，倫敦，1995年，頁154，圖67（12.7厘米
books is based on a legend from the life of Confucius, when it was 寬），楊伯達先生在此書上也曾提過麒麟題材在玉器上非常少見。
said that neighbours saw a qilin delivering books made of jade at
the time of his birth, and has since come to symbolise well-wishing; 另對比一件十七/十八世紀青白玉雕麒麟（16.5厘米寬），拍賣於紐約
another auspicious symbolism is conveyed by the pun lin tu yu shu 佳士得，2011年9月15日，拍品1030。
(‘May you give birth to an illustrious son’).

For several examples of similar subject matter but dated to the 18th
century see: from the Palace Museum, Beijing, The Complete Collection
of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995,
p.114, no.94 (22cm wide); and illustrated by R.Keverne, ed., Jade,
London, 1995, p.154, fig.67 (12.7cm wide), where Yang Boda notes
that ‘Kylin are rarely represented in jade’. Compare a related pale
greenish-white jade carving of a qilin, 17th/18th century (16.5cm wide),
sold at Christie’s New York, 15 September 2011, lot 1030.