Expert's note: This jade belongs to a group of white jade plaques of various round or rectangular forms and signed 'Zigang', commonly dated to the 18th century or more broadly to the Qing dynasty. It stands out from the other plaques in its exceptionally small size and the rustic yet highly skillful carving, making the present jade exceedingly rare.

China. The top carved with scrolling clouds and pierced with a small aperture for suspension, above an oval panel carved to one side with a gnarled pine tree and craggy rocks. The translucent stone of an even white tone.

Inscription: The reverse with a poetic verse in cursive script followed by the signature 'Zigang'.

Provenance: From a private collection in the United Kingdom, by repute acquired at Christie's London in June 1999. The reverse with an old inventory label, '62'.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and minute nibbles.

Weight: 5.5 g
Dimensions: Length 3.5 cm

Little is known regarding Lu Zigang in contrast with his legendary reputation as the finest Suzhou jade carver. Craig Clunas notes that Lu's name appeared in the 1642 edition of the Gazetteer of Taicang Subprefecture, Taicangzhou Zhi, recording him as a native of this district, 'fifty years ago there was in this prefecture a certain Lu Zigang, whose skill at carving [jade] with the knife remains unsurpassed to the present. Jade hairpins by him sell for fifty or sixty ounces of silver each. The skill was not handed on at Zigang's death'; see Craig Clunas, Superfluous Things. Material Culture and Social Status in Early Modern China, Honolulu, 1991, p. 64.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related white jade oval pendant, dated late 18th to early 19th century, illustrated in J.C.Y. Watt, Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, New York, 1980, pl. 217.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 28 May 2019, lot 80
Price: HKD 313,125 or approx. EUR 40,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A superb white jade 'quails' pendant, inscribed Zigang, Qianlong
Expert remark: Compare the related manner of carving and even white color. Note the size (5.5 cm), which is still considerably larger than the present lot.