A RECUMBENT JADE HOUND TANG / SONG DYNASTY

the greyish white stone with streaks of brown, carved in the form of a lean male hound with a coiled tail, reclining with his front paws stretched out under his face, the attenuated body articulated by the ribs and spine showing

Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 68.

Chinese Jade Carving, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1983, cat. no. 136.

Hei-Chi, Jades from the Hei-Chi Collection, Beijing, 2006, p.145

The overall condition is very good with some faint brown rivering in the stone. The hound has a smooth patina.
"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."

Finely carved and polished to a smooth sheen with intricately carved details, as seen in the ribs and paws, a jade figure of a dog in a similar recumbent position, but with greater emphasis on the ribs and spine, in the Guanfu collection, was included in the exhibition Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, Asia House Gallery, New York, 1980, cat. no  37; another, closely related figure from the Victor Shaw collection was included in the exhibition Exquisite Jade Carving, University Museum and Art Gallery, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 79.

Hound-like dogs first appeared in Chinese art during the Tang period, when many pottery versions were produced in this recumbent posture, and is related to the popularity of hunting as a pastime in China.