A white and russet jade 'mythical beast and lingzhi' group, Qing dynasty, 18th century | 清十八世紀 白玉靈芝瑞獸

The present lot takes its inspiration from earlier period carvings of animals. See a related example dated to the Six Dynasties, illustrated in Robert Fisher, Magic, Art and Order: Jade in Chinese Culture, Plam Springs, 1990, pl. 27. For related Ming dynasty examples, see Jenny So, Chung Wah-Pui and Carol Michaelson, Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 148. While this piece draws on Ming examples, in its carving style and decorative appearance, it illustrates the archaism much favoured by early Qing rulers, especially the Qianlong Emperor.

此式瑞獸銜靈芝題材或取自早期動物玉雕，如一件六朝時期瑞獸，見Robert Fisher，《Magic, Art and Order: Jade in Chinese Culture》，棕櫚泉，1990年，圖版27。另見明代一例，著錄於《中國肖生玉雕》，香港，1996年，編號148。然細觀此瑞獸紋飾多為慕古而作，多有盛清時期仿古玉雕風格。