A CELADON AND RUSSET JADE FIGURE OF AN ELEPHANT, MING DYNASTY China, 1368-1644. Boldly carved as an elephant standing foursquare, three of his large legs with deep incisions reminiscent of swirling lingzhi-shaped clouds, the snout of its trunk in the form of a ruyi head, the feet neatly articulated and the almond-shaped eyes finely incised. The semi-translucent stone of a celadon and russet tone with opaque grayish-white patches and icy inclusions.

Provenance: A private collection in the United States, acquired between 1960 and the early 1980s, and thence by descent in the same family. Christie's New York, 17-18 September 2015, lot 2380, sold for USD 8,750 or approx. EUR 10,800 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). A noted private collection, acquired from the above.
Condition: Excellent condition, commensurate with age. Ancient wear, small nicks, some areas with signs of erosion and minor surface alteration. The stone with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks over time. Fine, naturally grown patina, with an unctuous worn feel overall, due to extensive handling over centuries.

Weight: 648.0 g
Dimensions: Length 10.2 cm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 21 March 2019, lot 1171
Price: USD 75,000 or approx. EUR 85,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A mottled grey, dark brown and russet jade figure of an elephant, China, Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of carving and deep incision work with similar 'naturalistic' details, though in this case with ears in the form of lotus leaves (instead of the legs with swirling lingzhi clouds found on the present lot). Note the slightly larger size (12.7 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's New York, 23 March 2012, lot 1815
Price: USD 21,250 or approx. EUR 27,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A small greenish-yellow and russet jade carving of an elephant, 17^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related color and ruyi-form snout. Note the smaller size (5 cm).


明代青玉留皮雕臥象擺件
中國，1368-1644年。大象向右回首，呈半臥姿，長鼻翻捲，體態肥碩，雙耳如扇，四肢如柱，腿上飾如意雲紋，刻飾嫻熟流暢。青玉留皮，巧妙利用皮色，使大象更顯憨厚生動。

來源：美國私人收藏，購於上世紀六十至八十年代初，保存在同一家族至今；紐約佳士得2015年9月17-18日，lot 2380，售價 USD 8,750 ，相當於現在的 EUR 10,800；知名私人收藏，購於此拍賣。
品相：狀況極佳，與年齡相稱。磨損、小刻痕、部分有侵蝕跡象、輕微表面變化，具有天然裂縫的玉料，隨著時間的推移，其中一些可能已經發展成細小的裂縫。由於幾個世紀以來的賞玩，表面有自然瑩潤的包漿。

重量：648.0 克
尺寸：長10.2 厘米

拍賣結果比較：
形制：非常相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2019年3月21日，lot 1171
價格：USD 75,000（相當於今日EUR 85,000）
描述：明代灰褐玉象
專家評論：比較非常相近的雕刻風格、巧妙利用皮色的細節，雖然此玉象飾蓮葉紋雕刻。請注意尺寸稍大(12.7 厘米)。

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2012年3月23日，lot 1815
價格：USD 21,250（相當於今日EUR 27,000）
描述：明末清初十七世紀青玉雕象馱如意把件
專家評論：比較非常相近的顏色和如意鼻頭。請注意尺寸較小(5 厘米)。