An Extremely Rare Chinese Jade Carving of a Crouching Cat

An Extremely Rare Chinese Jade Carving of a Crouching Cat, 18th/19th century, 18cm long, 10.8cm high. Poised with his eyes to the front, intently watching and with his front paws tucked beneath his chest. The pale celadon coloured stone finely incised to simulate fur. The yellow glass eyes later additions. Provenance The Hon. Mrs Mary Anna Marten OBE, Crichel House, Dorset. Purchased by Lieutenant-Commander George Gosselin Marten from John Sparks Ltd. 128 Mount Street, on 16th March 1959 for £1,300. Catalogue Note The Chinese name for 'cat', mao, is homophonous with the word for 'age eighty to ninety'. The cat is thus a symbol of longevity.