A WHITE-GREY AND RUSSET JADE CARVING OF A QILIN 18th century The mythical beast carved with its head turned sharply facing its back, clasping a sprig of acanthus leaves in its mouth, flame whorls rising from its legs, the finely incised tail sweeping across its left haunch, the stone of pale white tone with russet patches. 10cm (4in) long. Footnotes: 十八世紀 白玉帶皮雕麒麟擺件 Provenance: Bill Spiers Trudy and John Cohen, collection no.H29 來源：Bill Spiers Trudy及John Cohen伉儷，收藏編號H29 The qilin (麒麟) is a mythical beast of great auspicious significance in Chinese tradition, often regarded as a harbinger of peace, prosperity, and the arrival of sage rule. Combining features of various animals, typically a deer-like body, scales, and sometimes a dragon-like head, it is celebrated for its benevolent nature, said to tread so lightly as not to harm even grass or insects. The appearance of a qilin was believed to signal the birth or presence of a virtuous ruler or sage, most famously associated with the legend of Kongzi 孔子 (Confucius). Compare with a related jade carving of a qilin carrying books, Qianlong, in the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1996, p.114, no.94. See a related pale green jade carving of a qilin, 18th century, which was sold at Bonhams London, 11 May 2021, lot 271. Compare also with a related white jade carving of a qilin, 18th century, which was sold at Christie's London, 11 May 2010, lot 85. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing