A green and pink tourmaline 'Qilin and Bat' pendant, 18th-19th century. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014.

The pink area of the stone is carved in the form of a bearded beast holding a lingzhi in its mouth, and standing on scrolling waves. There is a bat below the waves, which is carved from the green section of the stone. The stone is of a vibrant pink tone, shading to paler pink and green. 1 ? in. (3.5 cm.) high. Estimate £4,000 – £6,000 ($6,724 - $10,086)

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ASIAN COLLECTION

This impressive private collection of snuff bottles, pendants and other small jewel-like carvings showcases the wide variety of colours that can be seen in tourmaline, ranging from vibrant pink and lavish purple to lavender blue and emerald green. The incredible skill of the carver is particularly evident in pieces known as ‘watermelon’ tourmaline, which refers to carvings taken from a cross-section of tourmaline naturally formed with a pink centre and an outer green layer. In these pieces the carver cleverly utilizes the contrast between the two colours to define separate features of the depicted subjects. For instance, in a pink and green ‘qilin and bat’ pendant within this collection (lot 190), the pink area of the stone is carved as the mythical beast whilst the green section is reserved for the bat, providing a distinct division between the two animals to create a clearer and more striking image.

In contrast to orthodox views, recent scholarship has indicated that tourmaline carvings were not only made during the late Qing Dynasty or Republic period, but also produced earlier during the 18th and 19th centuries. For a detailed discussion of the revised dating of tourmaline bottles, see H. Moss, V. Graham and K. B. Tsang, A Treasury of Chinese Snuff Bottles, The Mary and George Bloch Collection, Vol. 3, Stones other than Jade and Quartz, Hong Kong, 1998, pp. 103-5.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 13 May 2014, London, King Street - http://www.christies.com/