Lot 3655. An imperial coral carving of a dragon, Qing dynasty, 18th century. 20.3 cm., 8 in. Estimate 600,000 — 800,000 HKD. Lot sold 750,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's.

intricately carved in the round as a scaly dragon writhing sinuously amist ruyi-shaped cloud swirls, its ferocious expression depicted with bulging eyes and an open mouth revealing its tongue, its back carved with tumultuous cresting waves, wood stand.

Note: Coral carvings of figures and animals, designed as decorative additions to a scholar's table are relatively common, but it is extremely rare to find a piece of this outstanding size and quality. The subject matter of the powerful dragon strongly points to it being the product of the Imperial Workshops. For a larger example sold at auction, see the coral dragon sold at Christie’s London, 19th October 1959, lot 89. See also a figure of Guanyin riding a dragon, sold in our London rooms, 23rd July 1963, lot 28; another from the collection of Helen M. de Kay, sold in our New York rooms, 8th December 1966, lot 113; and a carving of a female immortal riding a dragon, sold in our London rooms, 12th November 1974, lot 96.

Further examples of coral animals carvings include one of a Buddhist lion, sold in our New York rooms, 19th/20th October 1988, lot 345; and a figure of a recumbent ox from the Robert H. Blumenfield collection, sold at Christie’s New York, 22nd March 2012, lot 1217.

Sotheby’s. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 08 october 2014