A YELLOW JADE CARVING OF A HORSE JIN DYNASTY (1115-1234)

carved in the form of a reclining horse modelled with its head and maned neck turned back over the shoulder, its hoofed legs tucked under the body with its bushy tail curled alongside its right hindleg, the hair on its mane and tail detailed with fine incisions, the stone of a warm yellow tone with terracotta-brown inclusions

Exquisite Jade Carving, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 90.
Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 125.

The horse is in good condition. There are natural veins and flaws to the stone. The colour of the stone is a tinge more celadon than illustrated.
"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."

The present piece is notable for its delightfully animated smiling face, the charm of which is accentuated through the full, rounded forms of the body and stylised locks of hair. The heavily turned head is suggestive of supple movement and the sturdily-rendered forms successfully convey the alert strength of the animal despite its seated position of repose.   

A closely related example was sold in our London rooms, 4^th May 1985, lot 327; and another, but with less-severely turned head, in the British Museum, London, is illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jades from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, pl. 26:15. Compare also versions attributed to the Ming period, such as one in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1975, cat. no. 394; one sold in our London rooms, 4^th May 1984, lot 327; another sold in our New York rooms, 26^th February 1982, lot 366; and a fourth example sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 October 1995, lot 860.

The Tartar patrons of the Jin dynasty demanded luxury items of more exotic taste that could be found in the Tang tradition. While Jin pieces do contain the vitality that characterised Tang art, they also incorporate the softer features typical of Song period depictions, as exemplified in the present piece.