Lot 1409. A cat-form green stone inkstone, Qing dynasty (1644-1911); 8¼ in. (21 cm.) long. Estimate USD 4,000 - USD 6,000. Price realised USD 10,625. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011.

Carved as a recumbent cat with intent gaze, its broad head resting upon its front paws, its tail curled about its rear legs, the details of its fur finely incised on both sides except for a section of its haunch which is smoothed for use as a grinding surface, box. 

Provenance: Formerly J.M. Hu Collection.

Note: Compare the carving style seen on a duan inkstone, also depicting a recumbent cat, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - Writing Paper and Inkstones, Hong Kong, 2005, p. 182, no. 126, where it is dated to the Qing dynasty.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I and Part II Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, New York, 24 March 2011