Lot 3630. A fine white jade inkcake stand, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm.) wide. Estimate HKD 500,000 - HKD 800,000. Price Realized HKD 596,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011. 

Of rectangular form in imitation of a miniature scroll-form wrist-rest, finely carved in shallow relief on the flat upper surface to depict a parrot perched on a branch growing three ripe peaches, the longitudial sides gently curved to the underside carved with four archaistic characters, Taoshi Sanqian, 'Ripe peaches of three thousand years', the translucent stone of even white tone, stand, box. 

Provenance: Gifted to the present owner by Edward T. Chow.

Note: During the Qianlong period, the form was fittingly adopted in a variety of scholars' objects such as wrist-rests. Examples of this scroll-form are illustrated in Jadeware (III), The Complete Collection of Treasures of The Palace Museum, Commercial Press, 1995, p. 193, no. 158, from the Qing Court Collection; and the other is illustrated by M. Wilson, Chinese Jades, Victoria and Albert Museum, 2004, pp. 64-65, illustrated together with an example of spinach-green jade.

The four-character inscription is in reference to peaches grown in the mythical garden of Xiwangwu, the Queen Mother of the West, where the fruit ripens over thousands of years and bestow immortality to those who consumes it.

Christie's. The Imperial Sale, Hong Kong, 1 June 2011