18TH CENTURY

Details

A FINE SMALL WHITE AND RUSSET JADE 'DRAGON' PEBBLE
18TH CENTURY
The irregularly-shaped pebble is carved on one side in shallow relief with a horned chilong dragon amidst stylised clouds. The pattern is repeated on the reverse and is inscribed with a Zigang signature in seal script. The white stone has extensive areas of russet inclusions.
2 1/8 in. (5.5 cm.) long

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

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Lot Essay

The Zigang mark is after Lu Zigang, the renowned jade carver active in Suzhou in the second half of the 16th century. Details of his life and career are recorded by Zhou Nanquan, Gugong Shangyue Kan, 17, no. 1, who states that Lu was a native of Taicang, Jiangsu Province. Lu Zigang was one of the few Ming craftsmen of sufficient renown that his name was recorded in contemporary texts. His works were referred to by the Ming scholar Wang Shizhen, and they reportedly doubled in value on rumours that they were being collected inside the Imperial Palace.

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