the recumbent animal with its tail curled alongside its rear haunch with wrinkled skin, its head turned to one side, with flap ears folded on either side of its slit eyes, and a pair of curved tusks flanking a curled trunk, the stone of a yellowish celadon tone suffused with golden russet patches

Good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The carver of this elephant figure has produced a fine naturalistic sculpture, with the body skilfully fashioned and perfectly balanced. Small jade animal sculptures, generally carved in a reclining or seated pose, were made for the scholar’s studio and used as paperweights. A smaller yellow and brown jade elephant formerly in the collection of Dr Ip Yee collection, attributed to the 15^th/16^th century, included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Carving, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong 1983, cat. no. 151, was sold at Christie’s New York, 20^th/21^st March 2014, lot 2481. Compare also a russet jade figure of an elephant and boy, attributed to the Yuan to Ming dynasty, from the collection of H.R.H. Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, sold at Christie's Paris, 10th December 2014, lot 5, and again in these rooms, 3^rd October 2017, lot 3758.