宋至元 黑白玉透雕仙人圖牌

the rectangular plaque intricately pierced and carved with a scene of two Daoist immortals standing on either side of a bridge across a waterfall, one holding a mythical tortoise emitting vapor, the other resting one arm on the trunk of gnarled pine tree, all set within a dense landscape of pierced rockwork, lingzhi fungus and wutong, carved through the white stone to form the first register of relief, revealing the grayish-black stone behind 

In very good general condition. Two polished chips to the base, beneath the right hand figure, the total area measuring approximately 2.5 cm wide, and other possible polishing along the lower edge of the plaque. Minor chips and nicks to the extremities of the detailed carving, including to the tip of the scarf of the left hand figure and an approximately 0.3 cm wide chip to leaf of upper left tree. The stone of a more celadon-grey color than as seen in the catalogue image
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present lot is remarkable for its intricately-executed multi-level openwork, with a register of pierced rockwork forming a 'background' to the scene, which not only highlights the two immortals, but also conveys a naturalistic three-dimensionality to the narrative. A small number of related plaques are known. Compare a similar green jade plaque, dated to the Song-Yuan period, included in the exhibition catalogue Art in Quest of Heaven and Truth. Chinese Jades through the Ages, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2011, cat. no. 6-2-7, and two white jade plaques dated to the Song dynasty from the Qing Court collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (II), Hong Kong, 1995, pls 91-92.  

The use of the layer of gray stone on the present plaque to form the 'background' of the landscape is a further imaginative way of accentuating detail and is characteristic of lapidary work of this period. A Song dynasty plaque in the Qing Court collection carved with two mythical beasts utilizes the grayish-black inclusions within the stone in a similar manner, but instead of using it to create a vertical backdrop, it has incorporated it as a horizontal plane to form the ground on which the animals lie, op. cit., pl. 56.