A rare and important Indian (Mughal) pale green and spinach jade falcon perch

Probably 18th century
The stem carved in three sections as a long spiralling shaft divided by lotus buds, the perch itself carved from even milk-white jade carved on both sides with three simple leaves and all set with alternate ruby, sapphire and emerald-style beads suspended from gold curling stems, fitted box. 52cm (20½in) high. (2). Estimate: £40,000 - 60,000
Footnote:
Another example of these exceptionally rare pieces is in the permanent collection of the National Palace Museum in Taiwan, the repository of China's imperial past. It seems likely that the present perch is Indian, and scholars seem to agree, but it is very interesting to note that at one point at least, an imported perch of this kind was clearly copied at the instructions of the Chinese emperor to be included in the imperial collections formerly at Beijing. See the example now in Taiwan, illustrated, Chinese Jade in the Imperial Palace Museum, pl.73.

(Copyright © 2002-2007 Bonhams 1793 Ltd., Images and Text All Rights Reserved)

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 5 Nov 2007. New Bond Street - www.bonhams.com