A rare pale green and russet jade 'eagle and bear' group, yingxiong, 17th century. Photo: Bonhams.

The pale green stone with patches of attractive bright russet skin, carved as a bird with outstretched wings protectively shielding the recumbent lion, wood stand. 8cm (3 1/8in) wide (2). Estimate £15,000 - 20,000 (€18,000 - 24,000)

Provenance: Bluett & Sons, Ltd, London (label)
An English private collection formed by the grandfather of the present owner

The present carving is known as a yingxiong group, since the eagle (應 ying) and the bear (熊 xiong) together represent a visual pun for a 'hero', (英雄 yingxiong), perhaps suggesting that the piece would have been appropriate as a gift to someone serving in the military.

Yingxiong carvings come in many different interpretations, from the gentle bird pecking the nose of an archaistic beast illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade 6: Ming Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, no.261 and the more fearsome creatures illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade 9: Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, no.149, to the unusual form of the 'hero vase' featuring a two conjoined cylindrical vases flanking the archaistic eagle and bear; see the spinach green jade example illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade 10: Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, no.149.

The present carving makes most effective use of the almost triangular pebble, highlighted by patches of deep russet. Instead of depicting the ferocity or stylised archaism frequently associated with the motif, this carving instead offers an intimate picture of two animals looking at each other in harmony, with the bird spreading in its wings protectively over the crouching docile beast.

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