A FINELY CARVED JADE PEBBLE YUAN DYNASTY

the flattened pebble finely carved in low relief with a sinuous qilong dragon climbing up one side and peering over the edge, its slender body with outstretched limbs and a long curling bifurcated tail, the pebble carved on both sides in low relief with rows of archaistic scroll diaper bands, the smoothly polished stone of a greyish-beige tone with ash-grey and black inclusions

Exquisite Jade Carving, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 1.

The overall condition is very good. The stone has a few natural veins.
"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."

This highly unusual and meticulously carved piece embodies a style that emerged during the Yuan dynasty, which combined Liao and Jin qiushan jades with features of Han culture. As the Mongols were northern nomadic peoples, the Liao and Jin themes of decoration such as tigers, deer and hunting scenes were preferred and primarily continued. However, because some Han Confucians entered the upper ranks of power, there were also jade objects that reflected Han traditions, seen in the decorative designs of the pre-Tang dragons, chi-dragons and geometric motifs found on bi and huang as typified in this piece. The style and decoration of the present carving is reminiscent of Han carved bi, but without the central hole; see a Han bi illustrated in Zhongguo Meishu Quanji. Yuqi, vol. 9, Beijing, 1991, pl. 189. Compare also the exterior of a winged oval cup of similar shape, attributed to the Western Han dynasty and carved with a related spiral-decoration in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, published in Max Loehr, Ancient Chinese Jades, Cambridge, Mass., 1975, pl. 522.

The three-pronged tail of the dragon is typical of the Yuan period and is seen on a jade carving of a mythical creature in the Guan-fu collection, included in the exhibition Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, Asia House Gallery, New York, 1980, cat. no. 51.