清十八/十九世紀 褐斑青白玉「萬象更新」

the elephant standing four square with its head turned sharply to the right, ornately adorned with beaded jewellery and a saddle decorated with floral and fruiting sprays issuing from jagged rocks, the back supporting a boy crouching over a jardinière of wannianqing, and another boy holding a leafy peony branch standing beside, the stone of a greyish celadon tone stained with russet markings

This jade carving is in reasonably good condition, but does have a repair to the left tusk of the elephant.
"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."

本品生動有趣，為傳統題材，描述童子攀於象背。玉質溫潤細密，局部有天然褐斑紋理。良玉細琢，精緻入微，靈象碩巨穩重，上披鞍韉，背一盆萬年青，二子活潑爛漫，憨態可掬。 Robert Kleiner，《Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman》，香港，1996年，圖版170錄有一作例，售於香港佳士得2007年11月27日，編號1562。同可比較一玉「童子洗象」擺件，曾展於《A Romance with Jade. From the De An Tang Collection》，故宮博物院，北京，2004年，編號89。

此作富美好祝愿，「象」帶有吉祥之意，連童子及背上之萬年青，寓意「萬象更新」。象鞍刻蟠桃樹及蝙蝠，象徵「福壽雙全」。