A WHITE JADE RAMS GROUP SONG DYNASTY

the translucent white stone carved with a recumbent ram with his head raised and long curved horns resting on his shoulders, flanked by two smaller rams nestled next to him, the stone with russet skin along the bottom edge

Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 90.

Hei-Chi, Jades from the Hei-Chi Collection, Beijing, 2006, p. 153.

The overall condition is very good with only some faint russet veining in the stone and a small flaw patch in the stone near the right hind leg.
"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 masterfully rendered posture of the central ram echoes the still and powerful stone figures that line the Spirit Roads of Tang and Song tombs, yet the fluidity and fullness of the forms capture a sense of vitality and elegance. A later carving of three similarly positioned rams was sold in our New York rooms, 20^th February 1979, lot 186; and another was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 18^th March 1991, lot 364. Compare single figures of rams portrayed with their heads raised in a related alert manner, such as one in the B.S. McElney collection, included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Carving, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1983, cat. no. 139; and a later figure sold in our London rooms, 13^th May 1976, lot 375.

Rams symbolise the spirit or breath of light and life, which returns at the end of winter and the beginning of spring; thus a group of three rams represents the wish for the New Year to bring a change of fortune (sanyang kaitai).