清乾隆 白玉雕「如意雙安」把件

carved as an adjacent pair of quails conjoined at their bodies with their beaks in contact with each other's, their plumage meticulously incised, the larger one grasping a leafy sprig of lingzhi in its beak, the sprig elegantly extending across and enveloping their bodies, terminating with a leaf and lingzhi bloom on the underside next to the ducks' tucked-under feet, the smoothly polished stone of an even white colour with russet patches highlighting the lingzhi blooms, wood stand

The overall condition is very good with only a few minor nibbles to the extremities, especially to a small area of approx. 0.5 cm at the edge of one leaf. The stone has some natural veinings and inclusions. The actual colour is slightly warmer 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."

本品把件綽約可愛，依玉石之形精雕作巧，刀工繁細，尤見雙鵪羽、足等處。此匠修藝甚嫻，生恐多廢佳材，遂借玉形，肉作雙鵪，皮化仙靈。可比一相類作例，售於紐約佳士得1991年5月30日，編號179。

玉雕鵪鶉多銜穗稈。見一作例，現藏北京故宮，錄《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集：玉器（下）》，香港，1995年，圖版81。另見兩例，分售於倫敦蘇富比1990年6月12日，編號87及香港蘇富比1993年10月27日，編號512。再見一例，曾售巴黎蘇富比2011年6月9日，編號18。

靈芝者，寓意「長壽」、「如意」；雙鵪者，取「雙安」諧音。回觀本品，其意頓明，即「如意雙安」之解。