A WHITE JADE 'NARCISSUS' PENDANT PLAQUE LATE MING DYNASTY

the rectangular plaque finely carved in shallow relief depicting a narcissus spray together with a sprig of lingzhi fungus and bamboo, enclosed within a ruyi cloud frame, the reverse with a four-character seal mark, the stone of a pure white tone throughout 

Chinese Carving from Han to Ch'ing, Asia House Gallery, New York, 1980, cat. no. 205.
Exquisite Jade Carving, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 200b.

Apart from a minor 1mm bruise to the edge on one side, the overall condition is very good.
"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 present piece is an exquisite example of early plaque pendants that contained an auspicious meaning in a seal-like inscription on one side and its pictorial representation on the other. In this case, the symbolism of the narcissus and ruyi fungus gracefully carved on one side is inscribed on the reverse, which reads xianzhi zhuzhou ('the fairy of zhi offers his congratulations and wishes you long life'). The style of these seal marks is comparable to the auspicious and commendatory marks on bronzes and trade porcelains of the late-Ming period. For another example of this type of plaque, see one with a mythical creature on one side and the inscription 'one hundred favours from heaven' on the other, included in the exhibition Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, Asia House Gallery, New York, 1980, cat. no. 206; and a second, carved with three rams and the wish for increased good fortune, sold at Christie's London, 6^th December 1993, lot 202.

James C.Y. Watt states that the design of the frame is in the style of Ming sign boards of the period, and illustrates an example of the cartouche at the end of the 1498 edition of the play The Story of the West Chamber in the exhibition catalogue Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, p. 205.