A FINE ARCHAISTIC WHITE JADE 'DOUBLE PHOENIX' PLAQUE QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the plaque finely carved and pierced, the stylised confronted crested birds with long tails, the stone of an even celadon-white colour

There is a tiny nick to the tip of one phoenix's crown, but otherwise the plaque is in overall good condition.
"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."

The form of this plaque was inspired by jade double-bird pendants from the Eastern Zhou period (770-256 BC), such as one in the British Museum, London, illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, pl. 17:15, where the author notes that the beaked creatures depicted 'were probably derived from the strange creatures introduced to the Chinese decorative repertoire in the sixth and fifth centuries BC, perhaps from Western Asia', pp. 273-4.