A Chinese mottled jade phoenix, Ming dynasty,... Lot 20

A Chinese mottled jade phoenix, Ming dynasty, 17th century, finely carved with head sharply turned backwards with finely detailed wings in three sections and long tail, the underside carved with its legs tucked to its body, the stone of varying tones of black, grey, and pink, 7cm long There is a natural fine crack to the stone, starting on the exposed cheek of the bird and extending along the neck to the other side onto the wing. Otherwise in wonderful condition. There is a hole under the neck for suspension, which may or may not have been done at the point of manufacture.