A WHITE JADE CARVING OF A BOY AND GOOSE MING DYNASTY

finely carved in the form of a boy kneeling with his goose, his left hand stroking the animal while grasping a sprig of lotus in his right hand, the bloom and pad falling over his right shoulder, wearing loose flowing robes draped over his corpulent body, his head bald with a broad smiling face, the stone of a pale celadon tone with small sepia inclusions

Exquisite Jade Carving, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 19.

The overall condition is very good with only a minute bruise on the cuff of the boy's pant leg, and a few minute nicks along the lotus flower leaf and petals.
"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 snug composition of the delightfully chubby boy holding a lotus spray and duck is an excellent example of the full use of a high-quality stone. By detaching the head of the goose from the boy's torso, the carver takes the opportunity to display his confidence with the medium. The goose, like the mandarin duck, mates for life and is thus a motif associated with weddings, while a boy carrying a lotus signifies the wish for the continuous birth of distinguished sons.  Compare a carving of a boy riding on a mandarin duck sold at Christie's London, 4^th December 1995, lot 244; and another of a boy chasing a goose sold at Christie's London, 3^rd July 1978, lot 50. See also an earlier version of a boy riding on a goose and holding a leafy branch in the Qing Court collection, and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware II, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 86.