A WHITE JADE 'ELEPHANT AND BOYS' GROUP QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the beast carved standing foursquare wearing an elaborate saddle cloth, the head lowered and turned sharply to the right to look at the two young boys, one standing at the side, the other climbing over the back, the stone of very pale celadon-white colour

There is a chip to the ear of the elephant, and a small chip to the edge of the back of the saddle.
"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 similarly carved jade group, but depicting the two boys washing the elephant was included in the exhibition Views of Antiquity in the Qing Imperial Palace, Museum de Arte de Macau, Macau, 2005, cat. no. 109; another was sold in our New York rooms, 10th November 1979, lot 345; a third was sold at Christie's London, 3rd November 1969, lot 94; and a slightly smaller example was included in the exhibition Exquisite Jade Carving, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1995, cat. no. 105.