Lot 260. A fine and rare butterfly-shaped ivory tray, Qianlong period (1736-1795), 19,4 cm. Sold: €3 600 (Est: €3 000 - €5 000). Photo Nagel Auction.

Slight traces of use, small chip to the left wing's rim.

Provenance: From an old European private collection, collected before 1980.

Note: The quality of workmanship is comparable to a similar ivory tray in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Zhongguo Meishu Quanji, Vol.11 Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Horn, Beijing, 1996, fig.99.

Compare a similarly-carved ivory tray of this type carved in the form of a 'Buddha's hand citron' with foliage and bats, included in the exhibition Selected Ivory Carvings from the Sir Victor Sassoon Chinese Ivories Trust, Phillips, London, 1999, Catalogue no. 18.

The trade certificate for the sale of this lot has been granted (permit no. IT/CE/2023/BG/00428)

Lot 261. A fine and rare bat-shaped ivory tray, Qianlong period (1736-1795), 18,3 cm. Sold: €4 000 (Est: €3 000 - €5 000). Photo Nagel Auction.

Minor rest. best., somewhat rubbed.

Provenance: From an old European private collection, collected before 1980.

Note: The quality of workmanship is comparable to a similar ivory tray in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Zhongguo Meishu Quanji, vol. 11 Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Horn, Beijing, 1996, fig. 99.

Compare a similarly carved ivory tray of this type in the form of a "Buddha's hand citron" with foliage and bats, included in the exhibition Selected Ivory Carvings from the Sir Victor Sassoon Chinese Ivories Trust, Phillips, London, 1999, Catalogue no. 18.

The EU sales permit for this lot is available (certificate no. IT/CE/2023/BG/00424).

Fine Asian Art - Day I by Nagel Auction, June 12, 2023, Stuttgart