18th century|Finely carved, the mythical bird modelled recumbent with its claws neatly tucked underneath the body, the wings and long tail with curling feathers, holding a long leafy spray issuing peony blossoms to its beak, the stone of pale green tone with russet inclusions.|10.5cm (4 1/8in) high|十八世紀 青白玉帶皮鳳銜牡丹擺件According to the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas' Shanhai Jing 山海经, compiled during the Han dynasty, the phoenix embodies benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and sincerity, which an empress should possess. Carved grasping a branch of blossoming peonies, the present lot is enriched with further symbolism relating to love and feminine beauty. See a larger pale green jade carving of a phoenix, 18th century, in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, illustrated by J.C.S.Lin, The Immortal Stone. Chinese Jades from the Neolithic period to the twentieth century, London, 2009, p.134 (bottom centre image).A related pale green jade carving of a phoenix, 18th century, was sold in these Rooms, 13 May 2010, lot 14.