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A FINE WHITE JADE CARVING OF THREE RAMS, SANYANG The character for sheep or goat, yang (羊), appeared as early as the
18th century Han dynasty as a pun for xiang (祥) meaning auspicious or lucky. By
Deftly carved, the larger ram with its head turned to the side and the Qing period, the image of sheep had become heavily associated
swirling clouds carrying the celestial yin yang symbol issuing from with yang (陽), another homophone but signifying the sun or warm,
the mouth, the two smaller rams nestled beside, all with hoofed legs positive, masculine force in Chinese cosmology. In the present carving,
tucked under their bodies, the pale white stone of even tone. the connection with this yang force is made apparent with the yin and
8cm (3 1/8in) long. yang symbol issuing from one of the rams.

£12,000 - 20,000 The sheep imagery then developed into three sheep, san yang
CNY110,000 - 180,000 (三羊), which is a reference to the favourable arrival of spring, since
the phrase sanyang kaitai (三陽開泰), points to the period between the
winter solstice and the New Year. This was the period when the warm
十八世紀 白玉三羊開泰把件 yang energy is emerging, as detailed in the ancient Chinese classic of
prognostication, the Yijing, or Book of Changes.
Provenance: Roger Keverne Ltd., London, 16 November 2000
Lowenthal Collection, no.58 Compare with a related jade three-sheep group, from the Qing Court
Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures in the
來源：2000年11月16日，購於倫敦Roger Keverne Ltd. Palace Museum: Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, p.108, no.88.
Lowenthal藏品，编號58 Another related group but with yin and yang symbol, is illustrated in
the Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade, vol 9,
Beijing, 2010, pl.143.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.