Page 38 - Chinese Jades Nov 30 2017 Hong Kong

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A WHITE AND RUSSET JADE FIGURE OF A 清康熙或更早 白玉雕鴻運當頭瑞雞
ROOSTER
QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD OR 玉雕臥雞甚為少見，本品造型小巧，線條圓潤，突顯玉石
EARLIER 瑩潤通透，色澤均勻，亦見細節刻畫入微，雕工精美。褐
皮巧用，獨具匠心，既體現工匠對玉石之珍愛，亦另臥雞
worked recumbent with its crowned head turned sharply
更具立體之感。此玉雞之造型亦有唐代玉雕帽頂之風，見
backwards, its beak grasping a leafy millet spray, finely
一玉鳥，定為唐代，展於《中國肖生玉雕》，香港藝術
detailed with plumage, the stone of an even white tone with
russet patches 館，香港，1996年，編號70。
h. 5.2 cm, 2 in.
見一尺寸稍大之類例，雕臥雞回首銜菊花枝，展於《中
HK$ 120,000-180,000 國肖生玉雕》，前述出處，編號180。另可比較一雙雞
US$ 15,400-23,100 作例，定為明代早期，藏於巴斯東亞藝術博物館，錄於
《Jades from China》，巴斯，1994年，圖版282。
Small jade carvings of roosters are rare, and the present piece
is a particularly exquisite example for its fine modelling. The
translucency and even tone of the jade stone is enhanced
by the soft round body, which in turns provides an attractive
contrast to the detailed feathers of the tail and wings. The
skilful incorporation of the natural russet inclusions of the
stone not only displays the carver’s appreciation of the
precious material but also heightens the overall sense of
three-dimensionality. It is interesting to note that this piece
would have echoed the past as its pose is reminiscent of jade
staff finials in the form of birds, such as one attributed to the
Tang period, included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Animals,
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 70.
A slightly larger jade rooster similarly modelled with its head
turned back and grasping a sprig of chrysanthemum, was
included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Animals, op. cit., cat.
no. 180. Compare also a carving of two roosters, attributed to
the early Ming period, in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath,
illustrated in Jades from China, Bath, 1994, pl. 282.

36 SOTHEBY’S 蘇富比