White jade fruit basket highlights Chinese carvings auction

A rare carved white jade boulder is the lead item in 888 Auctions' Fine Chinese Carvings and Asian Works of Art sale due to take place on October 10 in Toronto.

It holds an estimate of £9,662-14,494, and is carved into the shape of a fruit basket and a pair of Fu mice.

white jade fruit 888
The fruit basket is carved from nephrite jade

Also featuring is a rare rhino horn libation cup from that carries an estimate of $5,797-11,595. The item dates to the 19th century and features intricate designs of pagodas, trees and villages along the shaft, accompanied by a wooden base.  

A number of rhino horn cups are currently on the market, with a 19th century magnolia shaped example expected to bring $50,000 at Skinner on October 12, and a 17th century specimen with a $20,000 estimate selling at Lark Mason Associates on October 1-15.

In the past similar cups have sold for impressive sums, with one example attaining $270,000 against a $250,000 estimate in 2008.

A carved heitan white jade boat features a $5,797-7,730 estimate, and an emerald green jadeite bangle displaying excellent translucency is on offer at $3,865-7,730.

Items carved from jade can sell for surprising sums, due in large part to the high regard in which it is traditionally held in Chinese culture. Recently, a carved russet jade two sided panel sold for $330,000 against an estimate of just $400-600.

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