China, 960-1644. Exquisitely carved, hiding the peach he has stolen behind his back, stroking his long beard with his other hand as he grins mischievously, dressed in long flowing robes tied at the waist. The translucent stone of a white tone with black patches, specks, and veins subtly utilized by the lapidary to create a striking shadowy effect befitting the subject matter.

Provenance: French trade.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and minor nibbling. The stone with natural inclusions and fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks.

Weight: 73.5 g
Dimensions: Height 7.8 cm

Dongfang Shuo (c. 160-93 BC) was a Han Dynasty scholar-official, fangshi ('master of esoterica'), author, and court jester to Emperor Wu (reigned 141-87 BC). In Chinese mythology, Dongfang is considered a Daoist xian (immortal) and the spirit of Venus who incarnated as a series of ancient ministers including Laozi.

The legend of Dongfang Shuo has him attempting to steal one of the famous 'peaches of longevity' from the orchard of Xi Wangmu, the Queen Mother of the West, whose palace was believed to be in the Kunlun Mountains. The peaches were believed to ripen only once in 3,000 years and to confer immortality on anyone who ate them.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 8 October 2020, lot 246
Price: HKD 81,250 or approx. EUR 10,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: Two jade carvings. White and black jade toggle: Song-Yuan dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the related color and manner of carving on a toggle of smaller size than the present lot. Note this lot also includes an undated mottled jade pendant.