宋 瑪瑙臥鹿形鎮紙

rendered recumbent resting on his tucked legs, its head sharply turned to the left, his muzzle gently raised in an alert expression, its antlers trailing towards its back, the base flat, the translucent stone of rich crimson-red colour mottled with white inclusions evoking the spotted mane of the mythical animal

1992年前購於意大利
Albert Molayem 收藏，羅馬（標籤）

The carving is in overall good condition. There is a minute chip approx. 0.8 cm to the deer's right antler. There are further occasional nibbles along the edges and small areas of natural pitting or calcification in the stone, including a small calcified patch beside the antlers, on the animal flanks or pitting beneath the flat base.
"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."

Sensitively modelled in the round with gentle facial features, this charming piece is notable for the high-quality agate stone from which it has been fashioned, which displays attractive natural inclusions that have been skilfully incorporated to resemble the spots of the deer’s fur. Agate is one of several hardstones that were valued as much as the finest quality jade and was treasured for its beautiful colouration and translucence. The stone was imported through the Silk Road; thus while a small number of agate items have been unearthed in tombs predating the 9th century, it was during the Tang dynasty when the Silk Road flourished that agate began to arrive on a larger scale.

No other closely related agate figure appears to have been published; compare an agate rython excavated from Hejiacun, Xi’an, now in the Shaanxi Museum, Xi’an, illustrated in Selected Treasures from Hejiacun Tang Hoard, Beijing, 2003, pl. 8. Jade carvings of deer modelled in reclining poses, include one attributed to the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum. Jade, vol. 5, Tang, Song, Liao, Jin and Yuan Dynasties, Beijing, 2011, pl. 245; and another attributed to the Song to Yuan dynasties, from the collection of Victor Shaw, included in exhibition Chinese Jades from Han to Ch’ing, Asia House Gallery, New York, 1980, cat. no. 44.