Chimère et son petit en jade céladon pâle sculpté Chine, dynastie Qing, XVIIIE siècle

l'animal fabuleux cornu couché, la gueule entrouverte laissant apparaître les dents, l'épine dorsale et les côtes saillantes, la queue touffue, son petit jouant devant lui entre ses pattes, une branche chargée de lingzhi dans la gueule, socle en bois sculpté ; petit accident à l'oreille droite du petit

Good condition. A few tiny nicks of light bruises to some edges (to the cub's ears, along the twig of lingzhi, to the tip end of the claws). A natural milky inclusion to the mane of the animal and to the top of its head, a few original linear inclusions in the body and some russet inclusions beneath (visible on the photo) but overall the group is in very 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."

This piece is finely modelled in the round to achieve both a sense of naturalism to the mythical creatures and accentuate the quality of the stone. Considered one of the most precious materials in China, the craftsmen were encouraged to utilise as much of the jade stone as possible and the carver of this piece has skilfully composed his work based on the shape of the pebble.

Compare a related carving of a recumbent mythical creature lying curled with its head turned towards its cub emerging from swirling clouds, but of smaller size, sold in our London rooms, 19^th June 2002, lot 92; and a slightly earlier example with a beast holding a sprig of lingzhi fungus in its mouth and seated next to its young, sold at Christie's London, 7^th November 2006, lot 12. See also a similarly carved Buddhist lion with its two cubs, from the collection of M.H.T. Hodgson, sold in our New York rooms, 16/17^th March 1984, lot 90, and again at Christie's New York, 19^th September 2007, lot 90.