A CELADON JADE 'BUDDHISTIC LION' GROUP MING DYNASTY

finely carved in the form of a recumbent archaistic lion with two playful cubs, the adult seated on its haunches with the paws punctuated by sharp talons, clenching a brocade ball tied with fluttering ribbons under its right paw, the head intricately carved with bulbous eyes and flaring nostrils below bushy eyebrows and floppy ears sweeping back to tight curls and long thick mane running down its neck, one cub clambering on its backside and the other nuzzling the larger beast's left haunch, the glossy stone of a pale celadon tone with russet splashes

Exquisite Jade Carving, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 108.
Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 149.

The carving is in excellent condition. There is a small patch of calcification to the large lion's right ear. There are natural veins running through the stone, and a minute flaw to the bottom of the larger beast's right paw. The stone has a fine and glossy polish. The colour is slightly more celadon than the illustration depicts.
"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."

Exquisitely carved with swirling curls that are suggestive of the soft texture of the creatures' fur and polished to a remarkable gloss, the present piece represents the height of jade carving of the Ming dynasty. From at least the Jin dynasty (1115-1234), the motif of lions playing with a brocade ball was known and became a popular motif during the second half of the Ming dynasty, adorning many ceramics and decorative arts in the sixteenth century. The naturalism achieved in this work, seen in the poses and charming depiction of the paws, provides the perfect surface on which to carve archaistic features such as the stylised faces and curling lines.

See a related example in the Avery Brundage Museum, San Francisco, included in the exhibition, Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, Asia House Gallery, Washington D. C., 1980, cat. no. 54; another in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, included in the exhibition Jades from China, Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, 1994, cat. no. 287; and a third large carving, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30^th October 1995, lot 887.

Compare also versions of this playful motif with one large lion and one cub; such as one sold in our New York rooms, 31^st May 1994, lot 28; another sold at Christie's New York, 22^nd March 2007, lot 11; two slightly later examples sold in our New York rooms, 23^rd September 1995, lot 261, and the other 31^st May 1994, lot 75; and another sold at Christie's London, 6^th December 1993, lot 191.

A large and small lion playing with a brocade ball symbolises the wish for the owner and descendants to achieve high rank.