Lot 3254. A yellow jade carving of a mythical beast, Ming dynasty (1368-1644); 4.9 cm., 1 7/8 in. Estimate 400,000 — 600,000 HKD. Lot Sold 500,000 HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

finely carved in the form of a recumbent mythical beast resting on its haunches accented by sharp claws, the head slightly turned to its right, the facial features well defined with large round eyes below a single horn on the forehead between pointed ears and a finely incised mane flowing down the neck, his back with a knobbly spine sweeping back to a curling bifurcated tail, the yellow stone with russet and black inclusions.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 08 april 2011