Carved as a bird holding on to beast's back, pecking at the beast's nose; the beast in a recumbent posture, gazing up at the bird, the stone of a very even greyish-white tone

PROVENANCE:

Property from a private collection, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

NOTE:

The subject of the present carving may depict an eagle and bear, serving as a rebus for "Hero" (Yingxiong); alternatively, it may depict a magpie and badger, serving as a rebus for "Joy in Heaven and Earth" (Huantian xidi).