Lot 1557. A large white jade carving of a finger citron, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 7¾ in. (19.5 cm.) long. Estimate USD 150,000 - USD 250,000. Price realised USD 386,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011.

Realistically carved as a large citron with eleven curling 'fingers' issuing from an openwork leafy branch, a smaller fruit and large leaves providing support for the base, the stone of pale greenish-white color with some opaque white inclusions. 

Provenance: The Jingguantang Collection; Christie's, Hong Kong, 3 November 1996, lot 501.
Collection of Dr. Philip Hatfield; Christie's, New York, 20 September 2005, lot 24.

Note: For other white jade examples of this naturalistically carved form, known as a 'Buddha's hand citron', also see the two illustrated by R. Kleiner, Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996, pp. 253-4, nos. 202 and 203; and another included in the exhibition, The Minor Arts of China, IV, Spink, London, 1989, p. 124, no. 174. Jade carvings of this interesting form have also been readily adapted as vases. See, for example, a pale celadon jade vase in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, illustrated by J. Rawson in Chinese Jade throughout the ages, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1975, p. 123, no. 406; and a large yellow jade vase in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, p. 64, no. 52.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I and Part II Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, New York, 24 March 2011