A FINE OPENWORK WHITE AND RUSSET JADE PLAQUE WITH THE ANIMALS OF THE FOUR DIRECTIONS, QINGChina, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). Masterfully crafted in the style of the Six Dynasties, showcasing intricate openwork carving and fine details, all executed in manual carving and chiseling, with no marks of modern tools. The rectangular plaque carved with a throning dragon with wings and long tail ending in a graceful arabesque, a phoenix with outstretched wings is perched beneath him. In the main rectangular area are a tiger and dragon roaring against a sitting deity flanked by two worshippers, in the lower section, a tortoise wrapped by a snake, symbolizing 'the black warrior' and above a Taotie mask. The translucent stone of white and cream hues with subtle russet areas and a semi-translucent russet patch to the upper dragon’s head.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, minuscule nibbling here and there and some notches. Provenance: Estate of Wolfgang Zacke (1942-2022), co-founder of Galerie Zacke, thence by descent. Acquired in the Hong Kong antiques market in the early 1990s. Mounted to a plexiglass stand (2). Weight: 88.3 g (excl. stand), 201 g (incl. stand) Dimensions: Height 15,3 cm, width 5 cm