Lot 1232. A white jade archaistic cup, Ming dynasty, 17th century; 5¾ in. (13.4 cm.) across handles. Estimate USD 5,000 - USD 8,000. Price realised USD 5,250. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014

The rounded sides are raised on a short foot with beaded edge and slightly convex bottom, and are well carved with a band of S-scroll pattern between rope-twist borders above a petal band and below a key-fret border at the rim, all interrupted by the pair of scroll handles carved on the flat tops with a taotie mask. A four-character mark, tian bao jia zi, is inscribed within a double square on the base. The well-polished, semi-translucent stone has some opaque white mottling and a russet flaw line.