A BLACK AND WHITE JADE CARVING OF A GOURD QING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

carved in the round as a small squirrel depicted clambering on a large gourd stemming from a gnarled leafy sprig issuing large leaves and meandering tendrils, the upper surface carved with a small gourd issuing from the same stem, two butterflies fluttering near the bottom of the large gourd, a miniature frog perched on a tendril on the side, the grey stone mottled with dark inclusions skilfully utilised to depict the animals and insects