A WHITE JADE 'MYTHICAL BEAST' CARVING QING DYNASTY

the unicorn animal finely carved recumbent with its head turned to the right resting on its hindquarter and its paws tucked beneath, the smoothly polished stone of even white colour picked out with a faint patch of russet on the animal's mane

The pendant is in overall good condition with insignificant nicks and tiny areas of pitting, barely visible to the naked eye.
"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 charming carving is remarkable for its playful rendering of the mythological creature depicted coiled towards its hind legs. Small jade carvings of this type, often fashioned according to the shape of the pebble, were generally kept on the scholar's desk and used as paperweights. Compare a jade carving of a mythological beast similarly rendered in a reclining pose, sold in our New York rooms, 17th April 1985, lot 220; another, attributed to the Ming dynasty, from the Hei-Chi collection, included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 140, and sold in these rooms, 8th April 2010, lot 2001; and two sold at Christie's New York, the first, 5th June 1986, lot 21, and the second, 3rd December 1992, lot 113.