A CELADON JADE CARVING OF A PIG EASTERN HAN DYNASTY

well carved with bold geometric strokes defining the animal's paws, eyes and snout nose, the stone of a pale celadon tone with a small russet splash at one end cleverly utilised to enhance the carving

Exquisite Jade Carving, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 63.

There are 3 very minute nicks to the edge on the underside. The overall condition is very good.
"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."

Symbolic of prosperity, abundance and fertility, jade carvings of pigs were used in burials throughout the Han and Six Dynasties periods. Numerous jade pigs, or stone substitutes, have been found in Han tombs throughout the empire. The great majority of them are sharply cut from a rectangular piece, creating an abstract image with sometimes brilliant technical effect, of which the present piece is an excellent example.

A closely related example in the Seattle Art Museum is published in James C.Y. Watt, Chinese Jades from the Collection of the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, 1989, pl. 29; several variations are included in Max Loehr, Ancient Chinese Jades, Cambridge, MASS., 1975, pls.  554-560; and another in the Simon Kwan collection was included in the exhibition Chinese Archaic Jades from the Kwan Collection, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994, cat. no. 232. See also jade carvings of pigs sold in our London rooms, 15^th December 1981, lot 42, and 7^th April 1981, lot 86; and another sold in our New York rooms, 13^th March 1975, lot 145.