A SMALL SUZHOU-STYLE AGATE PENDANT QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

delicately carved with a lady sitting in contemplation in a garden terrace under a prunus blossom tree, beside a desk with the scholar's accoutrements including a brushpot, brushwasher and an inkstone, the reverse carved with a six-character inscription written in caoshu and framed by garden rocks and swirling clouds, the glossy, translucent stone of a pale caramel tone

Exquisite Jade Carving, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 201a.

The overall condition is very good. The stone has 2 natural veins running verically. The actual colour of the stone is very close to the catalogue illustration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

With its elegantly rendered and naturalistic surface decoration, the pictorial scene on this pendant is highly narrative in character and relates closely to designs in printed books of the late Ming. The scene of the graceful lady is complemented by the inscription on the other side, which can be translated as 'a beautiful lady always loves plum flowers'.  The piece is also notable for the carver's clever use of the prunus tree to create a gentle border around the central scene. For further examples of similarly carved agate pendants with various pictorial scenes, see one sold in our London rooms, 9^th June 1992, lot 54; another sold in these rooms, 18^th May 1984, lot 726; and a third pendant sold at Christie's London, 7^th December 1984, lot 232.