Page 238 - Christie's Fine Chiense Works of Art November 2018 London

209
A WHITE JADE ‘BOY AND CAT’ GROUP
18TH CENTURY
The jade is carved in the round to depict a young
boy with his head turned to one side observing
a butterfy which is perched on his shoulder. He
holds a weathered plantain leaf over his other
shoulder. He is accompanied by a cat which is
seated at his side, peering upwards at the boy with
a charming expression. The stone is of a very even
pale tone.
3 in. (7.5 cm.) high
£10,000-15,000 $14,000-20,000
€12,000-17,000

The imagery of a boy and cat conveys a wish for
longevity, forming the pun maodie, which sounds
like ‘May you live into your seventies and eighties’.
Compare a very similar carving sold at Sotheby’s
Hong Kong, 1 December 2016, lot 15, and a Ming-
dynasty carving with this subject held in the
Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Jade, Ming
Dynasty – Complete Collections in the Palace
Museum, vol. 6, Beijing, 2011, pl. 285.
清十八世紀 白玉童子
209

210
A WHITE JADE MIRROR-FORM PENDANT
18TH-19TH CENTURY
Inspired by a bronze prototype, the circular mirror
is carved to the upper surface with a central boss
surrounded by a band of four mythical beasts
decorated with elegant archaistic scrolls. The jade
is of an even white tone.
3Ω in. (8.8 cm. diam.)
£8,000-12,000 $11,000-16,000
€9,000-13,000
清十八/十九世紀 白玉仿古瑞獸紋
鏡形珮

210

236 Other fees apply in addition to the hammer price – see Section D of our Conditions of Sale at the back of this Catalogue