A black celadon jade carving of a Mandarin duck, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) the recumbent bird is carved resting on a lotus leaf, with its head turning slightly to one side, grasping a curved stem of a budding lotus in its beak, the stone of a pale celadon tone suffused with attractive black inclusions. 4.7 cm long. Provenance: an important private collection, Sydney, Australia