Lot 1086. A rare translucent pale greenish-white jade circular cup stand, Ming dynasty (1368-1644); 6 5/16 in. (16 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 10,000 - USD 15,000. Price realised USD 422,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2010.

With beaded, everted rim, the interior boldly carved in deep relief with two dragons chasing pearls amidst clouds and flames around a raised platform carved with a continuous key-fret border.

Provenance: Acquired in Beijing in the 1960s.

Note: Compare the design of the current cup stand, with two dragons chasing flaming pearls around a central knop, to that found on a similarly decorated gold cup stand in the Dingling Mausoleum, illustrated in Catalogue of Relics from the Dingling Mausoleum, Beijing, 2006, no. 14.