Masterfully designed following the natural form of a pebble, the present piece represents the great ingenuity of the jade artisans working during the Qianlong period. Jade pebbles found in the rivers of Khotan are often the most desirable material for carving. Each stone is so uniquely crafted by the hands of mother nature that they challenge the carver's imagination and artistry, as well as the ability to work around limitations. See other Qianlong examples of jade pebble carvings, such as a carving of a melon, sold in our London rooms, 12th May 2010, lot 156; a jade 'double-gourd', sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8th October 2013, lot 3209; and a jade 'quince', sold at Christie's New York, 17th March 2016, lot 954.

The Buddha's hand citron, which takes its name from the shape of its fruit that resembles the idealized fingers of the Buddha, has a strong fragrance and is used as an altar offering during the New Year celebration. The first character of its name fo, is a pun for fu ('blessings' and 'riches'), while the second character, shou, is homophonous for longevity.

佛手，果瓣如指，故名佛手，帶芳香，寓意吉祥，常作為祝賀新年之果，有長壽之意，也為常見玉雕題材。本品以上等籽料精雕而成，足見乾隆一朝玉匠之高超技藝及靈巧創思。和田產玉以河中籽料最精，雕玉之上材，然每籽皆隨天成，尤考匠工功力，巧妙設計，唯材施刀，方成佳品。參考相類乾隆玉雕例，如見一白玉靈瓜把件，售倫敦蘇富比2010年5月12日，編號156；另見一青白玉雕瓜瓞綿綿擺件，售香港蘇富比2013年10月8日，編號3209；亦見一青白玉雕榅桲擺件，售紐約佳士得2016年3月17日，編號954。