A grey and black jade belt hook, Ming Dynasty. Photo: Bonhams.

The pearl-shaped curved buckle powerfully carved with a dragon head forming the hook, looking at a pair of confronted chi dragons, the reverse unusually carved with loop and loose ring finely carved with ruyi-shaped cloud scrolls, the stone of grey and black tones with russet streaks. 10cm (4in) long. Estimate £3,000 - 5,000 (€3,700 - 6,100)

Compare another broad-bodied greyish white and black jade belt hook illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade 6: Ming Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, no.125.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, London, New Bond Street, 15 May 2014 -http://www.bonhams.com/