A PALE CELADON JADE FIGURE OF A CAT WITH BUTTERFLY,... Lot n° 176

A PALE CELADON JADE FIGURE OF A CAT WITH BUTTERFLY, LATE QING DYNASTY China, 19th to early 20th century. Finley carved and pierced to depict a recumbent cat with a large butterfly resting on its body, the feline’s large round face with bulging eyes, wide snout, and large mouth, the upwards curled tail forming an aperture for suspension. Provenance: French trade. Condition: Very good condition with minor wear. The stone with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks over time. Weight: 40.8 g Dimensions: Length 5.4 cm Cats and butterflies are symbols of longevity. The word for cat in Chinese (mao) is a homophone for the word for octogenarian, and the word for butterfly (die) sounds the same as that for a septuagenarian, considered a high age in the past. Thus, the combination of the cat and butterflies here conveys the wish that the recipient will live a long life. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Bonhams San Francisco, 16 December 2014, lot 8143 Price: USD 4,375 or approx. EUR 5,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A white jade cat and butterfly group, 18th/19th century Expert remark: Compare the related subject, manner of carving, and color of the jade. Note the size (4 cm).