清乾隆至嘉慶 白玉鵪鶉式蓋盒

well carved in the round in the form of a bird, its head turning slightly to the right, the cover finely incised with overlapping layers of short plumage and feathery wings tucked neatly to the sides, a sprig of lingzhi in its beak, the underside of the fitted box carved with clawed feet, the stone of an even white colour 

The box and cover are in overall good condition with tiny areas of bruises and nicks to the edges, particularly the rims, some of which have been polished. The tip of the tail has also possibly been slightly polished to conceal an earlier nick. There are also surface scratches to the underside.
"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."

The present pair of quail boxes follows a type first developed sometime early in the Qianlong period which is represented in a number of collections.  Compare a similar pair of quail boxes in the Seattle Art Museum also with their heads turned but carved from a slightly yellowish stone and dated to the Qianlong period, illustrated in James Watt,  Chinese Jades from the Collection of the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, 1989, cat.no.73; see also a pair of boxes formerly in the Collection of T.Y. Chao, sold in these rooms 19th November 1986, lot 144, and a matching box in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Zhongguo Yuqi Quanji, Shijiazhuang, 2005, vol. 6, p. 69, no. 106.  

For a closely related example sold at auction, see a pair of smaller white jade ‘quail’ boxes and covers, sold in these rooms, 23^rd October 2005, lot 333.