AN IVORY FIGURE OF A QILIN EARLY QINGChina, late 17th - early 18th century. Expressive carving with very fine detail, depicting the majestic unicorn sitting on a base of curly waves. Beautiful amber-colored natural patina.Provenance: From a well-known and reputed British collection. Old collector’s labels to base, one stating ‘early 18th century’. Stored in a bank vault since 1974. Valued by Neil K. Davey of Sotheby’s London in 1974 and 1984. The value in 1974 was 150 Pounds Sterling. A copy of the appraisal list entry comes with this lot.Condition: Excellent condition. Some old age cracks but absolutely no actual damage.Weight: 23.9 grams.Dimensions: Height 5.3 cm.High quality ivory carvings, such as the present piece, are likely to have been products of the Ivory Workshop belonging to the Imperial Palace Workshops (Zaobanchu) located in the Forbidden City. The strength of the carving is shown by the toned musculature and expressiveness of the qilin, and the soft, dynamic flow of its posture which masterly captures the spirit of the animal. Depictions of qilin are a rare subject matter on works of art created in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, in contrast to the more commonly found Buddhist lion. 清初象牙雕麒麟中國，十七世紀晚期至十八世紀初。雕工細緻入微，神獸坐於浪上岩石之上。包漿天然琥珀色。來源：英國知名收藏。底部可見老收藏標簽，上可見 "early 18th century"字樣。至1974年一直存於銀行金庫。倫敦蘇富比Neil K. Davey 曾在1974 與1984做過價值評估，其中1974為 150英鎊。附評估單附件。品相：保存極好。一些年代裂縫，但絕對沒有新的損壞。重量：23.9 克尺寸：高 5.3 厘米