A LARGE JADEITE FIGURE OF AN IMMORTAL LATE QING DYNASTY |

the female deity depicted standing, her arms raised holding a leafy sprig of lingzhi, clad in long billowing robes and draped over with a celestial scarf, her face with a serene expression below hair piled up in an elaborate chignon, the figure slightly turned to her left towards a horse standing beside, the animal issuing from its mouth a stream of vaporous clouds rising up to the figure's shoulder supporting a yinyang symbol, the variegated stone of apple-green, emerald and caramel-russet tones cleverly incorporated into the design

An Asian private collection.
Christie's Hong Kong, 29th May 2013, lot 2196.

The figure is in good condition, with only minor shallow flakes to the fragile extremities including the edges of the celestial scarf on the reverse. The base with two apertures, possibly for attachment to another stand earlier.
"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."

It is rare to find a jadeite figure of such large proportions and fine stone quality. The natural variegation of the colours in the stone has been skilfully utilised to render different areas of the design, including the rich reddish-brown lingzhi head, and the brilliant apple-green clouds. Similarly carved figures include a figure of Guanyin, illustrated in Stanley Charles Nott, Voices from the Flowery Kingdom, New York, 1947, pl. LXXIV; and another sold in these rooms, 29th October 2001, lot 719, and sold again at Christie’s New York, 24th/25th March 2011, lot 1515. Compare also a figure of Magu holding a jia wine vessel, in the National Museum of History, Taipei, illustrated in The Jade Carving of the Ch’ing Dynasty, Taipei, 1990, pp. 108-109.