A WHITE JADE 'CHILONG' HAIRPIN QING DYNASTY, 17TH / 18TH CENTURY

of tapering cylindrical form, gently curving at its upper end towards a hemispherical knob, carved in low relief with a winged chilong, its elongated body writhing around the stem from a bifurcated tail to a ferocious face coiffed with a free flowing mane, with a smaller chilong near it, a third archaistic dragon coiled on the finial, inscribed Zigang in relief under the knob on the reverse; burlwood fitted box

Collection of Professor Xiong Shiyi, January 1981.

Apart from a very minute bruise to the edge of the knob, the overall condition is excellent. The actual colour is very similar to the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Hairpins of this type were inspired by the work of the Ming carver, Lu Zigang, who was known for producing the finest jade carvings prior to 1593. See an excavated white nephrite hairpin in the same material and form, part of a group of Ming dynasty hairpins, illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji, vol. 5, Shijiazhuang, 2002,  p. 194, pl. 279. Compare another Ming dynasty white jade hairpin in the British Museum, London, published in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, p. 339, no. 25:18.

The present hairpin is noted in James Watt, Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, New York, 1980, p. 199. A number of earlier hairpins are included ibid., pls. 191-194, attributed to the Yuan and Ming periods.

Compare a related hairpin decorated with dragons in low relief included in the exhibition Exquisite Jade Carving, the University Museum and Art Gallery, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1995, cat. no. 198, from the collection of Harold Wong; and another carved with a long-tailed chilong amidst stylised clouds and inscribed with 'Zigang' but attributed to the 18th century, sold at Christie's London, 11th May 2010, lot 133.