A WHITE JADE CARVING OF A MYTHICAL BEAST TANG/SONG DYNASTY

carved from a greyish-white pebble retaining its goldenrod skin, the reclining mythical beast modelled with its long slender neck turned back over the shoulder, its head with a single horn on its forehead between flattened ears, its four legs tucked underneath the body and with its bushy tail curled alongside its left haunch   

Exquisite Jade Carving, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 75.

The piece is in very good condition. There are natural veins running through the stone. The colour of the stone is slightly more celadon than the illustration suggests.
"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 head turned in an alert and playful manner, the animated expression of this piece is characteristic of many Song archaistic animal sculptures. By focusing on the pose and face, the carver has expertly captured a sense of vivacity in the creature, whose folded legs appear as though they are ready to jump into action. A closely related example, formerly in the collection of Colonel M. M. Munroe, was included in the exhibition Post-Archaic Chinese Jades from Private Collections, S. Marchant and Son, London, 2000, cat. no. 70. Compare also a mythical creature of this type, but with head turned forward, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware II, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 57.

The nearest relation of this mythical creature is possibly the giraffe, and is symbolic of longevity, grandeur, illustrious offspring, wise administration and marital harmony.