Page 246 - Fine Chinese Art Bonhams London May 2018

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261 Y Ф 262 Y Ф
A VERY RARE RETICULATED IVORY ‘DRAGON’ PLAQUE A VERY RARE RETICULATED IVORY ‘DRAGON’ PLAQUE
15th century 15th century
The plaque of slightly concave circular form with a pointed tip, The plaque of slightly concave circular form with a pointed tip,
intricately decorated with openwork designs of a descending five- meticulously decorated with openwork designs of a striding five-
clawed dragon with bulging eyes, elongated snout and sinuous body, clawed dragon with bulging eyes, elongated snout and sinuous body,
pursuing the ‘flaming pearl’ amidst tightly curling foliage, the ivory of pursuing the ‘flaming pearl’ amidst tightly curling foliage, the ivory of
cream-white colour turning to golden-yellow on the underside. cream-white colour turning to golden-yellow on the underside.
6.4cm (2 1/2in) long. 6.3cm (2 1/2in) long.

£20,000 - 30,000 £20,000 - 30,000
CNY180,000 - 270,000 CNY180,000 - 270,000

十五世紀 象牙鏤雕雲龍趕珠珠紋帶飾 十五世紀 象牙鏤雕雲龍趕珠紋帶飾

Such a plaque was probably used to decorate a belt buckle. Related Please see previous footnote.
jade examples of similar shape with a design of reticulated dragons,
Ming dynasty, are illustrated in the Compendium of Collections in the
Palace Museum: Jade, 6, Beijing, 2011, pp.180-181, no.158.

Compare with a similar reticulated ivory ‘dragon’ plaque, 15th century,
of similar shape and carved in openwork with a dragon in pursuit of the
flaming pearl amidst curling foliage, which was sold at Sotheby’s Hong
Kong, 8 October 2013, lot 3161.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
238 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.