Lot 3155. A yellow jade openwork 'dragon' pendant, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 2 1/2 in. (6.2 cm.) long. Estimate 600,000 - HKD 800,000. Price realised HKD 1,420,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014.  

The flattened pendant is carved on both sides as an archaistic dragon with backward-turned head and long curly tail, and further incised with cloud motifs on the surfaces. The semi-translucent stone is of even, warm yellowish colour with a tinge of russet on the lower right corner cleverly worked into a mouse, box.

Provenance: Tam Tai, Hong Kong, acquired in 1992.

Note: The seventh rank included the post of District Magistrate, the most important official with whom the vast majority of ordinary Chinese people would not have any dealings.

A very similar badge from the collection of Judith Rutherford is illustrated by B. Jackson and D. Hughes, Ph.D., Ladder to the Clouds, Berkeley, 1999, p. 240.