Fine Chinese Paintings & Works of Art - 1st July 2020
Lot 121
A LARGE CHINESE CELADON JADE CARVING OF A QILIN QING DYNASTY The mythical beast depicted in a...
Estimate £6,000 - £8,000
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Description
A LARGE CHINESE CELADON JADE CARVING OF A QILIN
QING DYNASTY
The mythical beast depicted in a recumbent pose with its head turned back, the qilin exhales smoke from its mouth which supports a book on its back, the stone with russet inclusions and striations, 17cm.
Cf. The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware III, p.114, no.94 for a related carving of a qilin carrying books on its back dated to the Qianlong period.
According to legend, a qilin appeared before the pregnant mother of Confucius and disgorged a jade tablet foretelling the future eminence of her unborn son. The qilin with a book represents the wish that a son will be intellectually gifted and bring honour to his family by passing the civil service examinations with great success. Such pieces were used as ornaments for a scholar's studio with the hope that they would bring wisdom to their owner.