A mottled black and grey jade 'qilin' carving, 17th century. Photo: Bonhams.

The grey stone streaked with black striations and carved as a single-horned qilin with the left fore hoof raised and cloud scrolls billowing around its body, a young qilin crouched on its back above the luxuriantly curling tail, fixed wood stand. 8.7cm (3 3/8in) long (2). Estimate £6,000 - 8,000 (€7,300 - 9,800)

Provenance: according to the owner, purchased from Bluett's prior to 1946 by her late husband, as a gift for his mother

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, London, New Bond Street, 15 May 2014 -http://www.bonhams.com/