清十八世紀 白玉螳螂捕蟬帶鉤

the curved shaft decorated with the head of a praying mantis forming the hook and a stylised elongated cicada worked in low relief along the lower section, the underside with a plain oval button

There are tiny bruises and flakes to the edges, the most significant to the lower tip of the body. The belthook is otherwise in overall good condition.
"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."

In its depictions of a praying mantis and a cicada this belthook echoes the passage by the Tang dynasty poet Lu Hongxia, who wrote: "Man, by nature is never satisfied and resembles a snake attempting to swallow an elephant; in life, moreover, the praying mantis pounces upon the cicada" (translated in Charles Williams, Outlines of Chinese Symbolism and Art Motifs, New York, 1976, p. 334).

A belthook of this type in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, is illustrated in James C.S. Lin, The Immortal Stone, London, 2009, pl. 70; two were sold in our New York rooms, the first, 16th March 1984, lot 324, and the second, 18th September 1996, lot 41; and another from the Lizzadro collection, was sold at Christie’s New York, 19th September 2013, lot 1193.