Lot 255. A grey and black jade 'dragon' plaque, Ming dynasty (1368-1644); Length 11.4 cm, 4½ in. Lot sold: 5,040 GBP (Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000 GBP). © 2022 Sotheby's.

Lot 256. A set of eighteen white jade 'dragon' belt plaques, Ming dynasty (1368-1644); Width of the largest 5.6 cm, 2¼ in. Lot sold: 37,800 GBP (Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000 GBP). © 2022 Sotheby's.

During the Ming dynasty, only officials of the first rank were entitled to wear belts set with beautifully carved jade plaques of varying sizes and forms, while those of the second and third ranks were allowed to wear belt sets comprising plaques made of rhinoceros horn and gold. For two jade belt sets comprising 20 individual plaques from the Palace Museum collection, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware (II), Hong Kong, 1995, pls 165 and 166.

Lot 257. A reticulated white jade ‘qilin' belt plaque, Ming dynasty (1368-1644); Width 5.4 cm, 2⅛ in. Lot sold: 5,670 GBP (Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000 GBP). © 2022 Sotheby's.

Property of a Gentleman.

Provenance: Collection of Rasmus Sundt Gundersen (1916-1968), Norwegian Consul General in Shanghai from 1960-1963.
By descent in the family.

Lot 259. A reticulated white jade ‘dragon' belt plaque, Ming dynasty (1368-1644); Length 7.7 cm, 3⅛ in. Lot sold: 8,190 GBP (Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000 GBP). © 2022 Sotheby's.

Property of a Gentleman.

Provenance: Collection of Rasmus Sundt Gundersen (1916-1968), Norwegian Consul General in Shanghai from 1960-1963.
By descent in the family.

Lot 260. A reticulated pale celadon jade 'dragon' belt plaque, Ming dynasty (1368-1644); Length 12.6 cm, 5 in. Lot sold: 11,340 GBP (Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000 GBP). © 2022 Sotheby's.

Property of a Gentleman.

Provenance: Collection of Rasmus Sundt Gundersen (1916-1968), Norwegian Consul General in Shanghai from 1960-1963.
By descent in the family.

Sotheby's. Monochrome, London, 2 November 2022