Search 0
976  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 0 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
JOIN AS A SELLER DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
GIFTS
LATEST STOCK
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Antiques dealer?
Join as a Seller
Sort Order
Items Per Page
sellingantiques.co.uk
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1232285
FOR SALE
£3,950
Email Phone
Save
A Fine Chinese White Jade Carving of a Recumbent Mythical Beast Late 18th/early 19th Century
For sale by Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €4,622     $5,017
£3,950
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
Browse dealers 217 items
  • About Us
    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
↓ Relevant Links
Id #SA1232285
PDF SHARE
SAVE

A Fine Chinese White Jade Carving of a Recumbent Mythical Beast Late 18th/early 19th Century

18th century
Description

A Fine Chinese White Jade Carving of a Recumbent Mythical Beast

Late 18th / Early 19th Century

Presented is a superb Chinese white jade carving of a recumbent mythical beast (Bixie), masterfully sculpted from a dense, pale nephrite stone with a characteristic greasy, waxy luster. The creature is rendered in a classic resting posture, its powerful head turned attentively forward with finely incised details, delicate facial features, and stylized curls framing the brow and flanks. The spine is defined by a rhythmic series of ridge-like elements, flowing down toward a gracefully fanned, swept tail tucked neatly against the body.

​The execution exhibits the fluid undercutting, soft muscular contours, and refined craftsmanship associated with high-grade lapidary work from the late 18th to early 19th century. Possessing a substantial and satisfying heft in the hand, this piece exemplifies the classic scholar's desk plaything (wanwu) tradition.

​Period: Late 18th / Early 19th Century

​Material: Fine White Nephrite Jade

​Length: 8.5 cm

​Weight: 115 grams

Provenance: The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London

Physical Dimensions
Width
8.5cm (3.35")
Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese White Jade Carving to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1232285
Description
A Fine Chinese White Jade Carving of a Recumbent Mythical Beast

Late 18th / Early 19th Century

“
Presented is a superb Chinese white jade carving of a recumbent mythical beast (Bixie), masterfully sculpted from a dense, pale nephrite stone with a characteristic greasy, waxy luster.
Sandbanks Antiques

The creature is rendered in a classic resting posture, its powerful head turned attentively forward with finely incised details, delicate facial features, and stylized curls framing the brow and flanks. The spine is defined by a rhythmic series of ridge-like elements, flowing down toward a gracefully fanned, swept tail tucked neatly against the body.

fig 1. A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details.
fig 1. A Fine Chinese White Jade Carving of a Recumbent Mythical Beast Late 18th/early 19th Century

​The execution exhibits the fluid undercutting, soft muscular contours, and refined craftsmanship associated with high-grade lapidary work from the late 18th to early 19th century. Possessing a substantial and satisfying heft in the hand, this piece exemplifies the classic scholar's desk plaything (wanwu) tradition.

​Period: Late 18th / Early 19th Century

​Material: Fine White Nephrite Jade

​Length: 8.5 cm

​Weight: 115 grams

Provenance: The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London

Width
8.5cm (3.35")
Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese White Jade Carving to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1232285
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details.
1 / 10
Archive I A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details.

A Fine Chinese White Jade Carving of a Recumbent Mythical Beast Late 18th/early 19th Century

Archive II A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details. View II
Archive III A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details. View III
Archive IV A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details. View IV
Archive V A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details. View V
Archive VI A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details. View VI
Archive VII A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details. View VII
Archive VIII A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details. View VIII
Archive IX A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details. View IX
Archive X A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques
Telephone 07889 139677
Location
Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 217
Items Sold 88
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified
Jan 2025
For Sale
217
Sold
88
A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details.
A Fine Chinese White Jade Carving of a Recumbent Mythical Beast Late 18th/Early 19th Century
Ref: SA1232285
A polished white jade carving depicting a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with incised tail and mane details.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectJade Carvings
  • Period18th century
  • StyleQing Dynasty
  • MaterialNephrite Jade, White Jade
  • ColourWhite
  • MotifsRecumbent posture, Incised scrollwork, Flame motifs, Polished finish
  • SizeW 8.5 cm (3 in)

This piece is a Chinese white jade carving from the late 18th to early 19th century Qing Dynasty. It depicts a recumbent mythical beast resting on its paws with an incised tail and mane details, shaped from white nephrite jade with a polished finish and flame motifs. The sculpture features a powerful head turned forward, stylized curls framing the brow, a ridge-like spine, and a fanned tail. Measuring 8.5 cm wide, it is designed as a scholar's desk plaything in the gentleman's library tradition. Today, the carving sits on an office desk as a decorative scholarly object. Handlers feel a greasy, waxy luster and a substantial heft from the dense stone. The beast rests in a prone position with its forelegs extended forward and its head resting near them, showing soft muscular contours and fluid undercutting along the flanks.

FAQs

Mythical beasts, such as Bixie, Qilin, and dragons, have been carved from jade in China for centuries to serve as protective symbols and talismans. During the Qing dynasty, these figures were frequently produced for the scholars desk, representing strength, good fortune, and warding off negative energies.

Historic Chinese jade carvings were primarily worked from nephrite, prized for its toughness, waxy lustre, and varied translucent tones ranging from pure white to deep green. Artisans used abrasive slurring techniques with bamboo, iron, and stone tools rather than steel blades, as nephrite is harder than steel.

Authenticity is assessed through tool marks, wear patterns, stone quality, and polishing technique. Qing period carvings typically feature smooth, tactile finishes, subtle incised details, and evidence of hand-worked rotary carving rather than modern mechanical drill lines.

Small carved jade sculptures are ideal for display in glass cabinets, on polished dark wood desks, or elevated on dedicated hardwood stands. Their neutral off-white hues complement modern minimalist palettes as well as traditional mahogany furniture.

Jade should be handled with clean hands or cotton gloves to avoid transferring oils to the stone. Dust with a soft, dry lint-free cloth, and avoid contact with harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, or abrupt temperature changes.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories