The celadon jade is carved as a ferocious qilin with dragon-like head and double-horn, its body incised with scales. It is modelled as lying recumbent and looking back whilst emitting a cloud from its mouth, supporting a pile of books on its back, with its legs tucked under the belly, its bushy tail upswept.
The depiction of a qilin with books refers to the legend of the birth of Confucius, according to which a qilin arrived bearing books and announcing that he was an extraordinary person with the virtues of an emperor.

青白玉，晶瑩溫潤。圓雕成麒麟，龍首，長兩角，身有鱗，鱗片整齊排布。呈伏臥狀，弓身回首，口吐祥雲，背負一函書冊，四肢屈於身下，尾巴上揚。
相傳孔子降生當晚，有麒麟降臨孔府，口吐玉書，玉書記載孔子非凡人，乃是自然造化之子孫；雖未居帝王之位，卻有帝王之德。後人以麒麟送書，祝願人喜獲麟兒。

5.5cm high; 12.2cm wide; 4cm deep