A YELLOW AND RUSSET JADE 'RABBIT' INKSTONE, EARLY QING DYNASTY Opinion: Inkstones depicting various animals were made during the Qing dynasty, including pieces of the highest quality made for the Qing court. The present inkstone, being of an abstracted form that still clearly shows the silhouette of a rabbit, with a circular recess (perhaps reminiscent of the moon, with which the rabbit is frequently associated in China) placed exactly where the hare's eye would be, is a unique and rare example of this group.

China, late 17^th - 18^th century. Well carved as the silhouette of a rabbit with distinct nose and ears, a circular recess carved in place of the animal's eye serving as the inkwell. The translucent stone is of a fine and distinct yellow tone with russet and black patches as well as cloudy white inclusions.

Provenance: French trade.
Condition: Very good condition with expected old wear and signs of use including small nicks, light surface scratches, remnants of ink inside the inkwell. Natural fissures and inclusions.

Weight: 231.1 g
Dimensions: Length 12.3 cm

The rabbit is the fourth animal in the Chinese zodiac and considered the luckiest out of all the twelve animals. It symbolizes mercy, elegance, and beauty. Rabbits are also associated with longevity by way of the Moon Hare. In Chinese folklore, the rabbit often is portrayed as a companion of the Moon goddess Chang'e, constantly pounding the elixir of life for her.

Literature comparison:
Compare an imperially inscribed zisha chengni inkstone molded with a rabbit gazing at the moon, with a Qianlong Yuming mark and of the period, at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 November 2020, lot 2837. Compare an inscribed inkstone in the form of a goose, dated to the Qianlong period, at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 4 October 2011, lot 1915. Compare an inkstone in the form of a buffalo, dated Ming or Qing dynasty, at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 7 April 2010, lot 1980.


清初黃玉留皮兔形硯臺
中國，十七世紀末至十八世紀。兔形硯臺，線條清晰分明，在眼睛的地方有一個圓形凹槽。這顆半透明石料呈溫潤的黃色，帶有赤褐色和黑色斑塊以及白色絮狀物。

專家注釋：動物形狀的硯台出現在清代，其中包括御製硯台。這件硯台以簡潔的形式清晰地顯示出兔子的輪廓，在兔子眼睛所在的位置有一個圓形的凹槽（讓人想起月亮，兔子經常與月亮聯繫在一起）。

來源：法國古玩交易。
品相：品相極好，有磨損和使用跡象，包括小刻痕、輕微的劃痕，有墨水殘留。自然裂縫和内沁。

重量：231.1 克
尺寸：長12.3 厘米

兔子在中國十二生肖中排行第四，它象徵著慈悲和優雅。兔子因爲月兔神話，同時也寓意著長壽。在中國民間傳說中，兔子是月神嫦娥的伴侶，為她搗長生不老藥。

文獻比較：
比較一件乾隆御銘的紫砂澄泥硯，飾有兔凝月，見香港佳士得，2020年11月30日，lot 2837。比較一件乾隆時期鵝形硯臺，見香港蘇富比，2011年10月4日，lot 1915。比較一件明或清代水牛形硯臺，見香港蘇富比，2010年4月7日，lot 1980。