ROCK-CRYSTAL CARVING OF A CAT
18TH CENTURY
7.5 cm long, 3.5 cm high (without stand)
The carved stone cat is depicted in a recumbent position, its right front paw on top of his left paw and its head slightly turned to the left, the long tail swinging upwards. The face has a friendly mien below pointy ears. The flat underside shows the animal’s four legs tucked under its body. The transparent stone is clear, except for several hair-like tourmaline inclusions. There is a fitted hardwood stand.
The cat, mao, generally represents longevity, and, in applied arts, tends to occur in the Qing dynasty. Whereas jade cats are more common, rock-crystal examples are rare. For a jade figure of a cat, see Ip Yee, Chinese Jade Carving, exhibition catalogue, 1983, cat. no. 156.
Provenance:
Formerly in a private Dutch collection