A celadon jade leaf-form brushwasher, 17th-18th century. Photo: Sothebys.
naturalistically carved as an upright lotus leaf, with gently furled edges, forming the deep well of the vessel, the exterior carved in relief with a pair of birds; one in flight, the other alighting onto an open lotus flower, all rising from an openwork base formed by the entwined stem of the plant issuing lotus blossoms, pods and leaves, the stone of celadon color with russet, gray and cloudy inclusions. Length 4 1/2 in., 11.4 cm. Estimation 20,000 — 30,000 US
Note: A closely related example, dated to the Ming dynasty, is illustrated in Zhongguo gu yu jing hua (The Cream of China's Jade Article), Shijiazhuang,1995, no. 163.
Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. New York | 17 sept. 2013 -http://www.sothebys.com/