A grey-white jade 'egrets amidst lotus' finial, Jin-Yuan Dynasty © 2002-2010 Bonhams 1793 Ltd.

Well carved in openwork with four egrets amidst intertwined leafy lotus tendrils bearing pods and blossoms, the stone of grey-white tone with minor inclusions, the base pierced for attachment. 6cm (2⅜in) high. Sold for £9,840

Provenance: an English private collection.

Compare a related jade 'egrets' openwork finial, attributed to the Liao or Jin Dynasty, from the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware (II), Hong Kong, 1995, pl.98.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 11 Nov 2010. New Bond Street  www.bonhams.com