A Chinese soapstone carving of Guanyin. 17th/18th century. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2010

The elegant goddess seated in long robes, a cowl over her high top knot, carrying a scroll and prayer beads, a boy an attendant before her, the stone of a beige tone, raised upon a contrasting red toned rockwork base - 7¼ in. (18.5 cm.) high - Estimate : £3,000 - £5,000

Provenance: with Spink & Son Ltd

A Chinese soapstone carving of an immortal. 17th/18th century. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2010

The seated figure with a smiling expression, holding a fly-whisk in his left hand, albums lying before him on the pierced rockwork base - in. (12 cm.) wide - Estimate : £2,000 - £3,000

Provenance: with Spink & Son Ltd

A Chinese soapstone carving of a recument Budai. 17th/18th century. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2010

The figure smiles on his sleep, lying on his large florally incised sack - 2¾ in. (7 cm.) wide, fitted wood stand - Estimate : £1,500 - £2,000

Provenance: The Montague Meyer Collection; Christie's London, 24 April 1980.

A Chinese soapstone carving of an immortal. 17th/18th century. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2010

The bearded figure modelled seated, one leg resting upon the other knee, his robes incised with delicate foliate roundels, holding a scroll in his left hand, the stone of a beige tone, raised on a sectional red and beige stone base - 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm.) high - Estimate : £1,200 - £1,800

Provenance: The Brodie and Enid Lodge Collection; Sotheby's London, 14 March 1972.

A Chinese soapstone carving of a mythical beast. 17th/18th century. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2010

The beast lying recumbent upon a branch of long serrated leaves, its head turned back upon itself, the stone of a cream or off-white tone - 4 in. (10 cm.) wide, fitted wood stand - Estimate : £1,200 - £1,800

A Chinese soapstone carving of an elderly figure. 17th/18th century. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2010

The hunched figure wearing a mottled cloak and holding before him a woven basket - 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm.) high - Estimate : £1,200 - £1,800

A Chinese soapstone carving of Buddha. 17th/18th century. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2010

Modelled seated upon an oval cushion with typical tightly curled ringlets to his head, bulbous earlobes and serene expression, his robes embellished with tiny pearl inlay - 3 in. (7.8 cm.) high, fitted woodstand - Estimate : £1,000 - £1,500

Christie's. The Sunday Sale - Property from the Collection of The Baroness Dunn. 14 March 2010. London, South Kensington www.christies.com