A JADE CARVING OF A RAM SONG DYNASTY

finely carved in the form of a recumbent ram with its hoofed legs tucked under the body, the small head tilted slightly upwards with the facial features, beard and ridged horns delicately picked out, the stone of a greyish-white tone with dark brown splashes enhancing the carving

Exquisite Jade Carving, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 88.
Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 93.

The overall condition is very good. The actual colour of the stone is quite close to the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Figures of rams have a long history, appearing in the Han and Tang periods in bronze as lamps and in ceramic as tomb figures. The present piece echoes the still and powerful stone figures that line the Spirit Roads of Tang and Song tombs, yet is much more fluid in form and captures a sense of vitality in the fullness of its form. With the top of its head and back accentuated by the dark natural inclusions, these lines that gently run across the stone further enhance the delicate carving of the creature.

Two closely related examples were included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. nos 91 and 94; another in the Kirknorton collection is illustrated in Brian Morgan, Naturalism and Archaism: Chinese Jades from the Kirknorton Collection, London, 1991, pl. 38; and a fourth carving in the British Museum, London, is published in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jades from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, pl. 26:11. See also one sold at Christie's New York, 2^nd December 1985, lot 48; and another sold at Christie's London, 7^th December 1984, lot 306. 

The ram is symbolic of peace, prosperity and filial piety. When carved in stone for Spirit Roads, rams represented incorruptibility and stood in lieu of figures of civil officials. It seems likely that jade rams, such as the present one, represented the roles of sheep in daily life as well as embodying their auspicious associations on Spirit Roads.