A grey-white jade openwork plaque. Ming Dynasty

A grey-white jade openwork plaque. Ming Dynasty © 2002-2010 Bonhams 1793 Ltd

Intricately carved with a writhing dragon flanked by a bat and a bird in flight amidst a dense foliate scroll with lotus blossoms, the stone of grey-white tone, wood stand. 14.3cm (5⅝in) wide (2). Sold for £6,600

Provenance: an English private collection

Compare related jade openwork belt plaques carved with dragon design, attributed to the Ming Dynasty, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware (II), Hong Kong, 1995, pl.166.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 11 Nov 2010. New Bond Street  www.bonhams.com