Lot 3710. A finely carved white jade 'dragon' washer, Qing dynasty, 18th century, 10.7 cm, 4 1/4  in. Estimate 400,000 — 600,000 HKD. Lot sold 2,375,000  HKD. Photo: Sotheby's.  

the rounded sides rising from a flat base and sweeping up to an incurved rim, intricately worked to the exterior in high relief depicting five ferocious five-clawed dragons writhing and swooping amongst swirling clouds in pursuit of 'flaming pearls', their scaly bodies extending to muscular legs terminating in sharp claws, the base deftly worked as a bed of tumultuous swirling waves, the well-polished interior left undecorated accentuating the even white tone of the translucent stone.