A FINELY CARVED WHITE JADE FIGURE OF A LADY QING DYNASTY, KANGXI / YONGZHENG PERIOD

superbly worked in the form of a nude lady depicted reclining on her right side with her head resting atop her right hand and a pillow, her serene face picked out with closed eyes beneath a neatly tied topknot, the elegantly postured figure with the other hand resting on a thick diapered blanket gathering in folds, the lady portrayed with a small recumbent kitten resting behind her, the lustrous white stone with attractive russet skin skilfully worked to accentuate the figure

The carving is in overall good condition. The back of the figure's hair is slightly irregular but does not appear to be damaged. A tool mark is also visible to the flat reverse of the carving. The actual colour of the stone is similar to the catalogue illustration.
"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 exquisitely carved figure is extremely rare and is notable for the finely use of the pebble in which the carver has skilfully utilised as much of the precious material as possible by carving according to the triangular shape of the stone. The russet skin has been incorporated into the overall composition of the piece to cleverly accentuate the blanket that is wrapped around the lower half of the lady’s body and the pillow on which she rests. By contrasting the carved russet blanket with the finely finished surfaces of her body which is carved into the fine white jade, the soft and sensuousness of the figure is effectively captured.

This figure may derive from the erotic figures that were created in the late Ming period which carried into the early Qing period and gradually disappeared underground. Her pose carries the characteristics of such figures, with her head propped up on one hand, her twisting body and hand placed suggestively by her legs. Her hair is gathered in a bun at the back of her head in late-Ming style. It is unusual for women of this genre to be portrayed half covered in a blanket, which further suggests an early Qing date of manufacture. The figure may also have been inspired by early Qing dynasty doctors' models, such as the one from the Kwan collection included in the exhibition Chinese Ivories from the Kwan Collection, Art Gallery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1990, cats. no. 96-97.

See a carving of a reclining female figure resting on a leaf while holding a fan, attributed to the late Ming/early Qing period, from the Guan-fu collection, included in the exhibition Chinese Jades from Han to Ch’ing, Asia House Gallery, New York, 1980, cat. no. 105. Stylistically, this lady bears resemblance to the elongated female figural style of the 17th century, found on porcelains of the time. See a standing jade figure rendered with similar features and hairstyle, from the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, published in Angus Forsyth and Brian McElney, Jades from China, Bath, 1994, pl. 310.