清乾隆 白玉透雕同心合符

吉字：
☰
隆
同心
含和
如月之恆

There is a 0.2 cm chip to the edge of the square slot, and a 0.1 cm chip to the edge of the circular slot. There is a 0.2 cm chip to the circular hooked tab. Otherwise, the tally is in overall good condition with some veining and inclusions. Some minor nicks to the extremities, as can be expected. The actual color of the stone is more of a softer tone compared to the catalogue illustration.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Compare a nearly identical Qianlong period white jade tally in the Palace Museum, Beijing, which has the central tongxin characters carved on a solid ground instead of pierced as with the present lot, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 27. See another similar white jade tally with different characters, sold in our Paris rooms, 16th December 2010, lot 265.

The present tally, or hefu in Chinese, derives from a special two-piece object that was used as a representation of authority or identification in ancient China. The history of the tally can be traced back to as early as the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC), when they were often made of bronze and in the form of tigers – and thus were given the name hufu (tiger tally). They had an important function in the early military system; the right piece was always retained in the central government and strictly controlled by the emperor; and the left piece was carried by the local military officers or commanders. When military action was to be taken, the emperor would send out his right piece to the corresponding local officer, and only when the two pieces of a tiger tally were matched, could troops then be dispatched.