A SUPERBLY CARVED IVORY FIGURE OF A QILIN QING DYNASTY, 17TH – EARLY 18TH CENTURY |

the mythical creature powerfully depicted sitting on its haunches with its tail curled alongside, its front paw slightly raised, the body and muscular limbs finely detailed with scales below a knobbed spine, its head alertly looking forward, the finely combed curled hair swept back behind a single horn, above bulging eyes with a penetrating gaze and flaring nostrils, its mouth agape revealing sharp fangs, squirting a downward spurt of water joining tumultuous foaming waves forming the base, all supported on a silver-inlaid wood stand

Christie's London, 10th May 2011, lot 218.

Good overall condition with just minor surface wear and natural imperfections, and minor bruises including one below the jaw, visible in the catalogue photo. The base has been pierced with two small holes for mounting on the stand.
"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."

High quality ivory carvings, such as the present piece, are likely to have been products of the Ivory Workshop belonging to the Imperial Palace Workshops (Zaobanchu) located in the Forbidden City. The strength of the carving is shown by the toned musculature and expressiveness of the qilin, and the soft, dynamic flow of their postures which masterly captures the spirit of the animal. The quality of the carving and the dynamism of the expression and powerful poised body is reminiscent of that on a carving of a lion with a boy and lion cub from the Qing court collection, preserved in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Bamboo, Wood, Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn Carvings. The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 160.

Depictions of qilin are a rare subject matter on works of art created in the early Qing dynasty, in contrast to the more commonly found Buddhist lion. For examples in cloisonné enamel, see a single figure of a standing qilin from the Qing Court collection, preserved in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, p. 168, no. 160. See also the majestic pair of cloisonné enamel qilin similarly depicted with one paw raised on rockwork, from the Ruxton and Audrey Love collection, sold at Christie’s New York, 20th October 2010, lot 610, and now in the collection of Robert H. Blumenfield.