A YELLOW AND RUSSET JADE FIGURE OF A RECUMBENT DOG SOUTHERN SONG DYNASTY

sensitively modelled as a recumbent dog with the back curved and the head turned backwards and resting on its front leg, the body depicted with a long backbone flanked by defined ribs, further detailed with a long tail curling against its hind leg, the lustrous yellowish-celadon pebble skilfully worked with rich attractive russet skin accentuating the figure

The Hei-Chi Collection.

Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 107.

Jiang Tao and Liu Yunhui, Jades from the Hei-Chi Collection, Beijing, 2006, p. 156 top.

The figure is in overall good condition with just expected pitting to the skin. The catalogue image is more of a yellowish-green tone than the actual colour of the stone.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Superbly carved to utilise the maximum amount of the precious stone, the present figure shows the carver’s skill for and respect towards the material. The dog lies curled with the body and face tucked closely together, the russet skin of the stone providing a warm aesthetic contrast with the greenish-yellow stone. The slender body is carefully rendered and complemented by fluidly carved lines to accentuate the curves of the body. The front paws are folded over each other to show the creature’s complete state of rest, and eyes picked out with small drilled holes as was the stylistic trend of early jade carving. It is interesting to note the minimalised face and angled snout; the combination with this type of yellow jade suggests it was made in the later period of the Song dynasty.

Compare a celadon jade dog in the same sale, lot 3322, also from the Hei-Chi Collection. The dog is portrayed with an emaciated body reclining in a similar position, the face defined by minimalised features and drilled eyes, illustrated in Jades from the Hei-Chi Collection, Beijing, 2006, p. 152 bottom. A white and russet jade dog, also attributed to the Song dynasty and with the head similarly turned back towards its hind legs but with a more naturalistically modelled face, in the British Museum, London, is published in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, pl. 26:10; and another was sold in our London rooms, 6th November 1973, lot 274.

Hound-like dogs first appeared in Chinese art during the Tang period, when many pottery versions were produced in a recumbent posture. Small jade carvings such as the present lot may have been owned by those who wished to be known for their hunting skills, an activity that was associated with rank and status.