Feline mother and cub

A mother feline and her cub are carved from a grayish-green jade that was artificially enhanced with gray veins and dark-brown areas on the outer surface. The animals rest peacefully, forming a circle: The mother's front paws are attached to the tail and hindquarters of the cub, and her tail swings out to the right to rest on the cub's foreleg. The mother turns sharply around to her right, head slightly raised, while the cub looks at her as if asking for protection. Both animals' faces are characterized by curled eyebrows and large, round eyes set above wide, almost straight snouts.

The composition expresses peace and relaxation, animated by the felines' facial expressions and the round contours of their paws. The partially connected bodies suggest their intimate relationship. The lionlike or feline image and the excellent display of playful movement are fine achievements of the Qing jade carver.