A WHITE JADE CARVING OF A MYTHICAL BEAST WITH LINGZHI AND BAT, QING DYNASTY

A WHITE JADE CARVING OF A MYTHICAL BEAST WITH LINGZHI AND BAT, QING DYNASTY China, 1644-1912. Finely carved in openwork from a superb white jade pebble, the recumbent mythical beast posed with its feet tucked underneath, gripping in its sharp teeth a cluster of three large lingzhi sprouts. A small bat is carved along the beast’s side with its wings outspread. The translucent jade is of an even white hue with small icy inclusions. Provenance: From an old Austria private collection. Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and microscopic nibbling to edges. Weight: 54.1 g Dimensions: Length 5.5 cm Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 26 May 2014, lot 267 Price: HKD 56,250 or approx. EUR 8,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A small white jade ‘mythical beast and lingzhi’ carving, late Qing dynasty Expert remark: Compare the related subject with a similarly stubby tail, posed gripping lingzhi in its teeth.