A WHITE JADE CARVING OF AN OLD MAN AND HIS WIFE QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the translucent white jade well carved with a bearded old man dressed in a long robe carrying his wife upon his back, the old lady holding a fan in her right hand, the stone of even tone with a few short russet veins

Exquisite Jade Carving, The University Museum and Art Gallery, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 42.

Hei-Chi, Jades from the Hei-Chi Collection, Beijing, 2006, p. 193. 

The overall condition is very good with only a small bruise to the foot of the old man and a minute nick on the edge of the fan. The stone is quite even with only a few short russet veins.
"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 subject of this carving is in the tradition of jugglers and conjurors that performed with puppets on their backs to simulate two people. A similar figure, in the McElney collection and now in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, was included in the exhibitions Chinese Jade: Stone for the Emperors, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Victoria, Greater Columbia, 1986, cat. no. 79, and Jades from China, Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, 1994, cat. no. 353.