A CHINESE MALACHITE PEN LICK

A CHINESE MALACHITE PEN LICK, BITIAN
PROBABLY QING DYNASTY

Formed as a large lotus leaf growing from a short stem, the underside with a two character Ding di mark, the flattened surface polished to show the natural striations of the stone, 12.3cm.

The hall Ding Di is known to have been the residence of the Manchu official Zhai Quan, who was one of the great grandsons of the Qianlong Emperor. Zhai Quan was a famous collector of works of art during the Daoguang and early Xianfeng periods before his death in 1854.