A LARGE WHITE JADE 'DEER' GROUP CARVING QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

finely carved in openwork in the form of a recument deer and his fawn affectionately facing the opposite direction at his side, his rounded head raised in alertness while turning sharply toward his back, finely detailed with small almond-shaped eyes, minute nostrils and long ears flanking two long ruyi-shaped antlers, his mouth clutching a curling spray of lingzhi sprouting five fungus with attendant feathery leaves further draping his neck and haunches, his well carved legs neatly tucked beneath, the fawn similarly depicted grasping a sprig of lingzhi, the smoothly polished stone of pale celadon-white coulour with a few milky streaks and snowflake inclusions carefully shaded with russet skin, carved stand

The jade group and stand is in overall very good condition.
"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."

This figure is particularly notable for its large size and consistency in tone which has been displayed through the broad areas of the undecorated body. Skilfully modelled in the round, the sturdy figures effectively contrast with the finely carved branches of lingzhi fungus that scroll around the larger deer to create a sense of movement.

The deer is symbolic of  longevity and wealth, and its supernatural traits can be traced back to as early as the Han dynasty. A reference to a white deer holding a spray of fungus in its mouth is illustrated in a Han poem:

The fairy riding a white deer
Has short hair and ears so long.
As he leads me up the Great Mount Hua
He grasps the mushroom, seizes red-fringe fungus.
When we reach the Master's gates
He offers up the drug in a jade casket.
The Master eats the drug,
His body in a day grows strong and fit,
His white hair turns black again,
His lifespan lengthens, his years are increased'.
(Anne Birrell, Popular Song and Ballads of Han China, London, 1988, p. 68)

Compare carvings of deer clutching lingzhi fungus in its mouth and depicted with its young, such as one included in the exhibition A Romance with Jade. From the De An Tang Collection, Palace Museum, Beijing, 2004, cat. no. 90, and sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29th May 2007, lot 1590; another sold in our London rooms, 31st October 1986, lot 305; and a third carved from a white and russet jade pebble, sold at Christie's New York, 24th March 2011, lot 1538.