Featured in this lot is Mughal / Persian 15th Century Jade Serving Dish and wood stand. Elegantly carved oval shape with the form of a lotus flower with scalloped petal edges, floral handles on each end with dangling jade rings. The jade stone has been very finely carved, so it has a semi-translucent or diaphanous aspect. Most likely acquired in Kandahar, Afghanistan, 1975. Provenance: the Owen D. Mort, Jr. Collection. Owen David Mort was an American engineer who amassed an impressive collection throughout his worldwide travels. His collection has included art, artifacts and other historical items from which he has donated to museums at the University of Utah and Snite Museum of Art, the University of Notre Dame, including African, Afghan and Asian artifacts. Provenance includes portion of an appraisal in which notations to this item give an initial purchase price of $3750.00. Similar pieces from the Ming Dynasty era have sold at auction for up to $40,000.00. Mughal jades, made by Indian jade carvers of the Mughal Empire (1526–1858). The Mughal fascination with jade was due to its association with Central Asian conqueror Timur (1336-1406). Jade carvings were first brought to China during the eighteenth century as gifts to the Qianlong emperor and immediately caught the imagination of the Qing court. They are famed for their floral shapes, intricate decoration, thin bodies, and soft luster, which inspired Chinese jade carvers to create novel styles. This jade serving dish is in nice condition, comes in a blue cloth bound storage box with bone closing pins. Serving dish measures 8.25"L x 4.5"W x 1"D, base is 4.75"L x 3"W, stand measures 7.25"L x 3.75"W x 1"D. Storage box measures 11.25"L x 8.25"W x 4.25"D.*