Coupe linghzi en jade blanc sculpté sur son socle en ivoire teinté Chine, dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong (1736-1795)

la coupe foliée délicatement posée sur des rinceaux de champignons auspicieux, la pierre d'une belle teinte blanche avec inclusions rouille et un doux poli, socle en forme de rocher de lettré en ivoire teinté vert avec fleurs et lingzhi jaune

Some dirt and a natural linear inclusion inside the cup, otherwise in 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."

Jade vessels in the form of the auspicious lingzhi fungus are rare and the present example is especially fine for the pure white colouration of the jade material that has been expertly carved. The naturalism combined with the detailed modelling of the lingzhi form was achieved by a skilled carver who would have spent many days on perfecting each aspect of the composition to obtain the desired curvature and to give the carving a quality of robustness. Cups of this type often formed part of the scholar's studio, used as water containers or water droppers. Lingzhi fungus represents immortality and according to Daoist belief it grows on the Three Islands of the Immortals. For this attribution the fungus itself has historically being used in Chinese medicine. In the form of a vessel, the lingzhi represents a visual rebus for the wish for longevity, peace and security. For examples of jade carvings of water vessels made for the scholar's desk see a white jade washer in the form of a lotus leaf, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Chinese Jades Throughout the Ages – Connoisseurship of Chinese Jades, vol. 12, Hong Kong, 1997, pl. 82; and a water dropper in the form of a peach enclosed by curling leaves fashioned in a similar manner as seen on the present vessel, published in Robert Kleiner, Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, Hong Kong, 1996, pl. 109. In its form this cup is reminiscent of rhinoceros horn libation cups, for example see one carved with the lingzhi fungus motif, from the collection of Dr. Ip Yee, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19^th November 1984, lot 91.