A PALE CELADON JADE CARVING OF A CHINESE BOAT QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

finely carved as a sampan with two figures and a dog on deck, one figure fishing, the other holding the end of the rudder, a third figure waving a flag out of the window on one side of the shelter, the stone a pale celadon colour, wood stand

Some small toffee-coloured splashes in the jade. Small `nick' to bow of boat, minor chip to rudder. 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."

Fishing boats of this type were commonly used on the lakes and rivers of China. The present piece is especially fine for its carving, with good use being made of the natural colouration of the material for the awnings.  

Carvings of fishing boats can be found in museums and private collections; see a comparable example, from the Qing court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 32; one included in Robert Kleiner, Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996, pl. 165; another published in James Watt, Chinese Jades from the Collection of the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, 1988, pl. 64; and a fourth carving sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 10th April 2006, lot 1766.