A YELLOW JADE BOULDER QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

carved in the form of a circular disc representing the sun rising above the undulated waves carved in high relief on both sides, a five-clawed dragon ascending from below towards the swirling clouds, the stone of pale yellow tone with russet mottling, fitted stand

The overall condition is good with no apparent condition issue. Original jade inclusion and brown veining inherent to the stone, including a faint white mottling horizontally across the stone at the front and a faint white streak cross the back of the stone.
"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 remarkable for its skilful manipulation of the original shape and natural inclusions of the stone to create a dynamic and unique carving, and no other related example appears to have been published. A bi-disc decorated with a man and a dragon amongst clouds and waves, in the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, was included in the exhibition Chinese Jade. Stone for the Emperors, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, 1986, cat. no. 78; and a carving of a dragon rising over waves, in the Art Museum of San Francisco, is published in Rene-Yvon Lefebvre d'Argence, Chinese Jades in the Avery Brundage Collection, San Francisco, 1977, pl. LXXII, where the author notes that the sun, moon and flaming pearl appear to be symbolic of the changing nature of dragons and, ultimately, life.

Dragons were frequently chosen as central motifs for the ornamentation of objects destined to court officials, and the present depiction appears to be an interpretation of a carp that has turned into a dragon at the Longmen (Dragon Gate) Falls. This episode represents a student becoming a court official after successfully completing the imperial examinations.