AN UNUSUAL WHITE JADE 'BIRD' BOX AND COVER QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

the white stone of an even milky tone with natural veins and inclusions, the cover well carved in the round in the shape of a bird with round eyes, short beak, and long striated tail, its feathery wings tucked on the sides, the fitted box with a high oval inner lip, the underside carved in low relief with clawed feet

The exterior edges of the box have some nibbles, with the largest chip measuring only 5 mm. There is a 2 mm shallow bruise to the cover rim at the same spot of an original natural vein. There is also a 1 mm shallow chip to the rim of the cover near the tail. Apart from that, the overall condition is quite good.
"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."

This box appears to have been carved as a dove and the flawless white stone heightens the serenity of the subject. Jade boxes carved after animal and bird forms are well-known from the middle-Qing period; for a quail-shaped box see one included in the exhibition A Romance with Jade from the De An Tang Collection, Palace Museum, Beijing, 2004, cat. no. 86; another carved in the form of a phoenix sold in these rooms, 23^rd October 2005, lot 331; and a pair of peacock boxes also sold in these rooms, 8^th October 2006, lot 1105.