A WHITE JADE 'TWIN DEER AND LINGZHI' GROUP 17TH CENTURY

finely carved as a pair of recumbent deer with legs neatly tucked beneath their bodies and heads turned toward each other, lying amid large craggy rocks, depicted grasping a long curling leafy lingzhi stem in their mouths, the edges of their tails and ears delicately incised with tufts of hair, the softly polished white stone of an even colour

There is some minor nicks to the surface, otherwise the carving is in overall 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."

Skillfully fashioned according to the natural long form of the pebble, this carving is particularly notable for the intimacy of the scene, as seen in the animals' close reclining poses and locked gaze while together grasping a lingzhi sprig in their mouths. As one of the symbols for longevity and the only animal capable of finding lingzhi, deer are often depicted with the stylised fungus in their mouth. 

Compare a slightly smaller jade deer group illustrated in Roger Keverne, Jade, London, 1991, p. 141, pl. 33; one, but lacking the rock work, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum. Jade, vol. 6, Ming Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl. 244; and another sold in our New York rooms, 25th February 1983, lot 255.