A WHITE JADE 'DRAGON AND RAT' PLAQUE / PENDANT WITH SIGNATURE OF LU ZIGANG 子岡 CHINA, POSSIBLY QING DYNASTY Carved in milky white stone as a coiled dragon and a rat, the side engraved with the signature Lu Zigang 子岡. H: 5 cm - w: 2,5 cm - thickness: 0,6 cm Weight: 22 grams Notes: The Zigang mark is after Lu Zigang, the renowned jade carver active in Suzhou in the second half of the 16th century. Details of his life and career are recorded by Zhou Nanquan, Gugong Shangyue Kan, 17, no. 1, who states that Lu was a native of Taicang, Jiangsu Province. Lu Zigang was one of the few Ming craftsmen of sufficient renown that his name was recorded in contemporary texts. His works were referred to by the Ming scholar Wang Shizhen and they reportedly doubled in value on rumours that they were being collected inside the Imperial Palace. The dragon (long 龙) is one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac and so is the rat (laoshu 老鼠) 陆子冈签名“龙鼠”白玉吊坠 中国 NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.