Page 90 - Chiense jades Hong Kong Sothebys April 2017

The current jade figure is outstanding for the 瑞獸白玉質，帶褐斑，四肢臥於腹下，作回
exceptional depth and quality of carving. While 首狀。獨角，雙目炯炯，平鼻厚唇，口銜蓮
the figure embodies elements characteristic 枝，背上凸脊，足底平切，為明朝玉雕動物之
of carved Ming mythical creatures, such as 典型作品。
the almost deliberately archaistic style of the
dramatic pose, exaggerated features, decorated 此器雕琢工藝精湛，造型古樸典雅，寓意吉
tail and choice of mottled stone, the carver’s 祥。
dexterity with the medium is apparent in the
intricately detailed paws, mane and floral spray.
As many of these jade carvings were based upon
illustrations in contemporaneous woodblock
print manuals, such as the Cheng shi moyuan
[Ink Impressions of Cheng], 1606, the piece also
reveals the ability of the carver to transform
such prints into remarkably naturalistic three-
dimensional figures.

While it is relatively common to find animals
depicted holding a floral spray in their mouth,
the present carving is also notable for the
combination of the two decorative motifs: the
traditional Chinese lotus and Western acanthus.
The acanthus, which is thought to represent
longevity and is one of the oldest flowers in the
Mediterranean area, became a popular motif
for floral decoration during the Ming period. It is
often seen attached to a scrolling flower, such as
a peony or lotus as in the present example.

For a closely related carving, but with the
creature holding a peony and acanthus spray,
see one from the Guan-fu Collection, included in
the exhibition Chinese Jades from Han to Ch’ing,
Asia House Gallery, New York, 1980, cat. no. 55.
A related carving, without stalks of plants in its
mouth, was sold in our New York rooms, 3rd
December 1986, lot 13.

88 SOTHEBY’S 蘇富比