Brush washer in the shape of lotus leaf with feline dragons; Southern Song (1127-1279)-Yuan (1271-1368) dynasty; 12th-14th century; China; Jade (nephrite); H. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm); W. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm); D. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Jade; Two dragons decorate the ends of this brush washer; which is carved from an opaque piece of white nephrite with brown and yellow inclusions that give the jade an aged appearance. Historical records indicate that variegated jade was highly valued from the twelfth to the fourteenth century