A WHITE JADE PLAQUE WITH A BOY AND A DEER SONG DYNASTY

well carved with a standing boy with a short tuft of hair on his head, holding a long stalk of lotus wrapped around his shoulders, his other hand resting on the head of a seated deer, the background finely reticulated in openwork, the stone of creamy-grey tone with a tinge of russet in the centre

Hei-Chi, Jades from the Hei-Chi Collection, Beijing, 2006, p. 148. 

The overall condition is quite good. There are some faint russet inclusions in the centre with a slightly rougher patch, and some minor nibbling on the edges.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

For figures carved in a similar style, see one of a boy with lotus flowers, in the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (II), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 84; and a carving of a girl and boy holding lotus branches, in the Thomas Wei Seu King collection, included in the exhibition Exquisite Jade Carving, Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 9. A later carving of a boy holding a peach and standing next to a deer, from the Zhirouzhai collection, was sold in these rooms, 8^th October 2008, lot 2308.

The deer is symbolic of longevity, while the combination of a boy carrying a lotus represents the wish for the continuous birth of distinguished sons.