AN ARCHAISTIC CELADON JADE 'BIXIE' WATER DROPPER MING DYNASTY

the beast crouching on all fours with flame-like protrusions extending from each leg and a large bifurcated tail, the head with large eyes and flame-like mane raised and alert, the mouth and back pierced with an aperture, the stone of pale celadon colour with pale caramel inclusions 

There is a polished chip to one leg, and a bruise to the back of its nose. There are tiny chips to the extremities including the opening, the flame-like protrusions, the legs and the bifurcated tail.
"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."

A water dropper similarly carved as a bixie was included in the exhibition Chinese Jade: An Important Private Collection, Spink & Son Ltd., London, 1991, cat. no. 163; a slightly larger example, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, is illustrated in Ming Wilson, Chinese Jades, London, 2004, p. 62, pl. 65. See also a carving of a bixie, illustrated in John Ayers, A Jade Menagerie: Creatures Real and Imaginary from the Warrell Collection, London, 1993, pl. 17.