清十八世紀或以前 青白玉「瑞獸」卵石佩

the greyish-green lustrous translucent stone enhanced with brown skin, carved in low relief following the natural form of the pebble as a mythical beast made up of various archaistic elements, including archaic clouds, formalized lingzhi-heads and leiwen, the horned-animal crouching on three-clawed paws, armed with two fangs flanking a finely detailed beard, with a bifid tail and flaming haunches, the flattened base with elements suggesting eyes and an additional paw with long sharp claws, possibly indicating the presence of other coiled mythical creatures

紐約蘇富比1994年6月1日，編號117

The overall condition is very good. The stone, which is enhanced with russet stains, has a long ‘C’-shaped vein (visible on the right of the illustration). The actual colour is slightly more tinged with grey than 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."

This pebble carving is possibly inspired by earlier, Ming dynasty, mythical beast form paperweights made for the scholars' desk. For example, see a finely carved jade in the form of a recumbent beast with much of the material left in its natural form, sold in these rooms, 8th October 2006, lot 1150; and another Ming period carving of a recumbent beast attributed to the late Ming period sold at Christie's New York, 19th September 2007, lot 64. Compare also a larger natural pebble, retaining much of its original form but finely rounded to create a bird-form figure, attributed to the Ming dynasty, illustrated in Angus Forsyth and Brian McElney, Jades from China, Hong Kong, 1994, pl. 306, in the collection of the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath.

While this piece draws on Ming examples, in its carving style and decorative appearance, it illustrates the archaism much favoured by early Qing rulers, especially the Qianlong emperor.