A white jade 'dragon and phoenix' plaque


Ming DynastyThe jade plaque finely carved in high relief with a sinuous writhing dragon amongst billowing ruyi-clouds and two flying phoenixes with finely incised feathers, the white jade inset on the zitan cover of the inkstone raised on a zitan stand. 9.6cm (3 7/8in) long (3).
|明 硯台配嵌白玉雕龍鳳紋牌硯蓋Provenance: according to family history, which is supported by family records illustrating the progress of British troops in Beijing at the time, this object was acquired by a military attaché posted to Beijing at the time of the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. He was attached to the staff of Brigadier-General A.Gaselee, the commander of the British contingent.來源：據家族歷史記錄，1900年義和團運動期間，藏家作為英國准將阿爾弗雷德·蓋斯利的隨行外交官得此拍品於北京。