A RARE 'YUE' CELADON FIGURE OF A MYTHICAL BEAST WESTERN JIN DYNASTY

sensitively modelled in the round as a stylised mythical beast depicted kneeling with the left front paw placed on the chest and the right on its chin, the charming figure rendered with the head gently tilted upwards, detailed with piercing round eyes framed by a well-pronounced snout and a striated horn and pair of ears, the reverse of the plump body detailed with a crenulated spine flanked by carved motifs, covered overall with a translucent pale olive-green glaze subtly pooling to a deeper tone in the recesses

Galaxie Company, Hong Kong, circa 1980.

Good condition with just typical surface wear.
"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."

Playfully modelled as a kneeling mythological beast raising its hand to its mouth in a contemplative manner, this charming piece belongs to a group of playful vessels made for the scholar's desk that were produced in kilns in northern Zhejiang and southern Jiangsu. Numerous vessels in the form of crouching animals, mostly of toads, have been recovered from tombs of the Three Kingdoms and Western Jin dynasty, although those modelled in this kneeling pose are rare and no other closely related piece appears to have been published.

Compare a water vessel in the shape of a standing animal drinking from a cup, illustrated in The Complete Works of Chinese Ceramics, vol. 4, Shanghai, 2000, pl. 32, together with one modelled as a crouching toad, in the Huzhou Museum, Zhejiang province, pl. 214.