Age: Qianlong Period

A very fine white jade "squirrel and melon" group, the melon carved with branches and leaves to one side and the squirrel shown atop. The stone of an even white tone with a nice even milky texture.

Size: 3", 7.60cm.

Provenance: Estate of Baron Pierre DeMenasce (1924-2013)
Doyle New York March 2014
A private Montreal Collector

Lot Notes:

During the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, the DeMenasce family was prominent in Egyptian commerce and society. Baron Pierre’s great-great-grandfather, Jacob Levi DeMenasce (1807-1883), established the merchant banking firm of J.L. DeMenasce and Sons, initially in Cairo, followed by the Egyptian port city of Alexandria. The firm prospered, and Jacob was appointed banker to the Ottoman Khedive of Egypt, Ismail. Branches of the firm soon opened in Constantinople, Marseilles, Paris, Liverpool and London managed by Jacob’s sons and grandsons.

Baron Pierre, was particularly fond of Chinese jade amassing a collection of high quality and rare jades. You can see in old photos how his jade collection was prominently displayed in his home in Cairo, Egypt before he eventually moved to London.

PLEASE REQUEST ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OR A CONDITION REPORT AS NEEDED.

The absence of a condition report does not imply good or bad condition however a condition report may be requested as additional information about any lot. Please understand that any statement about condition is provided to a prospective buyer as a courtesy and a prospective buyer is encouraged to have a professional restorer or art conservator evaluate lots and their respective condition to make sure they meet any particular expectations. All lots are sold as-is where is. Please note this Sale is conducted in USD. All Canadian customers will have the option of paying the CAD equivalent. Jade keywords: Jade, jadeite, nephrite, burmese, xinjiang, hetian, qianlong, imperial, white, mutton fat, beijing, suzhou, ming, song, yuan, jin, liao, toggle, pendant, belthook, belt hook, chinese, hong kong, taiwan, old, antique, carved, polished,