清十八世紀 白玉雕臥鹿銜靈芝把件

finely worked as a half-recumbent deer with three legs neatly tucked beneath its body and the left foreleg slightly bent, depicted grasping a long curling leafy lingzhi stem in its mouth, the edges of its tail and ears delicately incised with tufts of hair, the lustrous white stone smoothly polished and faintly accentuated with russet skin

Good overall condition with just minute nicks to the front left foot (unillustrated side).
"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."

Carved from a luminous white stone with attractive natural russet markings, the present piece is notable for the sense of fullness of form and vitality created by the half-recumbent position of the two legs and the alert raised head. A related carving of a deer in a similar pose and grasping a sprig of lingzhi was sold in our New York rooms, 13th June 1979, lot 326; and another sold at Christie’s London, 4th July 1977, lot 244. Compare a carving, but lacking the lingzhi sprig, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures in the Palace Museum, Jade (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 87.

Since early times the deer has been associated with miraculous powers and is a symbol of immortality. It is also believed to be the only animal with the ability of sniffing out the mushroom of immortality, hence it was often depicted with lingzhi sprigs, as on this piece. For an earlier carving depicting a deer with lingzhi, see one attributed to the Song dynasty, sold in our London rooms, 16th June 1999, lot 757.