A SMALL WHITE AND RUSSET JADE CARVING OF A QILIN

MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

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A SMALL WHITE AND RUSSET JADE CARVING OF A QILIN
MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY
The auspicious beast well carved in a recumbent position with legs tucked under its body, with ribbon-tied horns, scaly body, and hoofed feet, the vapor issuing from its mouth supporting a jade book that rests on its back, the stone with some areas of dark russet skin, and with lustrous polish
2 in. (5.1 cm.) long

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拍品專文

The qilin issuing a jade book from its mouth recalls the dream that Confucious' mother had just before he was born. She dreamt that a qilin came to her door with a jade book in its mouth. The phrase lin tu yushu (qilin issuing a jade book) is used as a wish for the birth of an illustrous male child, as the qilin is believed to only appear before the birth of a sage. A carving such as this would have been given as a gift to a wealthy family on the birth of a male child.