A FINE AND RARE MODEL OF A HOUND QING DYNASTY, EARLY QIANLONG PERIOD

naturalistically modelled seated with head raised and teeth bared, wearing a floral collar suspending fixed pendent tassles and a gilt bell, the coat picked out in shades of iron-red and black

John Sparks, London, 18th June 1984.

This rare hound is in very good overall condition with the exception of a small area of restoration to the tip of the nose, some light fritting around the mouth, right ear and lower body and feet, overpainting to the top of the right paw, light rubbing to the gilding, some minor firing imperfections including iron-spot glaze imperfections, pinhead-sized glaze holes and light glaze scratches.
"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."

While many smaller figures of hounds are known, large examples such as the present piece are rare. A related example, but wearing a red collar, was sold in our New York rooms, 20^th October 1989, lot 451, and again in our Monaco rooms, 29^th February 1992, lot 456; and two figures were sold at Christie's London, 19^th March 1979, lot 172, and again, 13^th October 1975, lot 83. See also a slightly larger figure with an opening on its back in the shape of a peach, sold in these rooms, 20^th November 1956, lot 78, and now in the Peabody Museum of Salem, illustrated in William S. Sargent, The Copeland Collection. Chinese and Japanese Ceramic Figures, Salem, 1991, pl. 63; and a pair of dogs with pomegranate-shaped openings sold in these rooms, 10^th June 1997, lot 242.

The dog is one of the six domestic animals of China and is considered a symbol of fidelity as it is in the West. A pair of dogs made of silver thought to have come from the Summer Palace, Beijing, suggests that it is highly likely that figures of hounds were not made solely for the export market (see Sargent, op. cit., p. 139).