White jade figure "Mandarin Ducks", Qing dynasty, Qianlong

Hetian white jade, carved in one piece, with gold flecks. It depicts a pair of ducks facing in the same direction, but the female turns her head backwards. They each hold a lotus branch in their beaks. It is worth noting the carving work and the rendering of the details, such as the feathers and the features, which are worked in great detail. In very good condition.

This representation is related to the traditional expression "只羡鸳鸯不羡仙" (I only envy the mandarin ducks but not the immortals) which tries to teach that as long as you can grow old holding hands like mandarin ducks and stay together for life, there is no wish to be a god in heaven. Also, there is a Chinese idiom "百年好合" (Bainián hao hé) "A happy marriage for a hundred years" which means to wish two people love and affection for a lifetime. In addition, "好合" (hao hé) refers to a pleasant relationship. Finally, another meaning according to traditional auspicious patterns "連生貴子" (Tatako), already in the Tang dynasty, is of auspicious character, it symbolizes the "continuous birth of noble sons" and the lotus is related to continuous life.

Provenance: Important collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, since 1980.

Size: 7.7 x 3.5 x 9 cm; Weight: 299 g