A mottled white jade carving of a qilin, 17th century

The recumbent mythical beast carved with its head turned towards the back, the head with a horn between elongated scrolling eyebrows above the ruyi-shaped nose and snarling jaws revealing the menacing teeth, with a finely incised beard and mane, the spine with flame-like scrolls terminating in the tail carved with key-fret, the haunches and legs carved with fire scrolls and key-fret, the mottled yellow-white stone with fine russet streaks.. 10.7cm (4¼in) long. Sold for £52,800

Provenance: R.H.R.Palmer, collection label no.160
Purchased circa 1943
By descent to the present owner

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 14 May 2009. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com