A rare white and brown jade reticulated 'dragon' finial


Ming DynastyIntricately carved in openwork as a long writhing dragon with bifurcated tail coiling back sharply over its hind legs, all above wispy clouds, the stone of white-greyish tone with darker brown patches, wood stand. 3.4cm (1 3/4in) high. (2).
|明 白玉褐沁龍紋爐頂Provenance: S.Marchant & Son Ltd., LondonA distinguished English private collection來源：購於倫敦S.Marchant & Son Ltd.英國顯貴私人收藏Dragon finials of this quality are very rare. Another related openwork dragon finial, Ming dynasty, from the collection of Mr and Mrs Philip Chum is illustrated by Ip Yee in Chinese Jade Carving, Hong Kong, 1983, p.230, no.207.Compare with a related pale green and russet jade 'dragon' finial, Ming dynasty, from the Muwen Tang Collection, which was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 1 December 2016, lot 66.