Page 443 - Sotheby's October 3 2017 Chinese Art

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PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN 明 黃玉臥獸

A YELLOW AND RUSSET JADE
FIGURE OF A MYTHICAL BEAST
MING DYNASTY

depicted recumbent with the head turned to its
left and resting on its front paws, the mythical
beast portrayed with bulging eyes and an angular
snout, its back rendered with a prominent spinal
column terminating in a thick, bushy tail swept
against its haunches, the pebble of a warm yellow
colour attractively highlighted with extensive
russet patches
7.3 cm, 2⅞ in.

HK$ 400,000-600,000
US$ 51,500-77,000

This animated animal has been carved to
maximise the use of the stone by being modelled
according to the shape of the pebble. The carver
has also skilfully created a sense of playfulness
by combining carefully incised details, such as
the combed tail, with caricature-like archaistic
features. A similar carving is illustrated in Brian
Morgan, Naturalism and Archaism. Chinese Jades
from the Kirknorton Collection, London, 1995, pl.
50; and another from the Hei-Chi collection was
sold in these rooms, 8th April 2010, lot 2001.

IMPORTANT CHINESE ART 441