Lot 10. A superb white and russet jade ‘Phoenix and Peach’ carving, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795). Estimate 500,000 — 700,000 HKD. Photo Sotheby's;

the translucent and substantial stone skilfully worked in the form of a phoenix grasping in its beak a meandering sprig of peaches, the mythical bird finely portrayed with well-rendered plumage and a long furcated tail curling towards the front, the front of the design further decorated with ruyi cloud scrolls, the lustrous white stone accentuated with attractive russet skin - 11.5 cm, 4 1/2  in.

Provenance: Christie’s London, 4th December 1995, lot 269.

Notes: This animated carving has been carefully carved to maximise the use of the precious stone by being modelled according to its original shape. Furthermore, the carver’s respect for the stone is reflected in the clever incorporation of the natural russet inclusions of the pebble into the design. 

A jade carving of a reclining phoenix holding a sprig of peaches in its beak, in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, is published in Angus Forsyth and Brian McElney, Jades from China, Bath, 1994, pl. 337; one is illustrated in Robert Kleiner, Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996, pl. 199; another was sold in these rooms, 17th November 1975, lot 66; and a fourth carving was sold in our London rooms, 15th April 1983, lot 166. 

Sotheby's. The Muwen Tang Collection of Chinese Jades, Hong Kong, 01 Dec 2016, 10:00 AM