A WHITE JADE LIONESS AND CUB MING DYNASTY

the evenly white translucent stone carved with a recumbent lioness clenching a sprig of lily in her mouth, her head turned back towards her tail looking at her cub nestled along her right hind leg, the stone highly polished and well carved overall

Hei-Chi, Jades from the Hei-Chi Collection, Beijing, 2006, p. 176.

The overall condition is very good. The stone is evenly white with only a few chalky white inclusions and a tiny rough patch along the the animal's side.
"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 present piece is outstanding for the exceptional depth and quality of carving. While the figure embodies characteristics of Ming carved mythical figures, such as the almost deliberately archaistic style of the dramatic pose and exaggerated features, the carver's dexterity with the medium is apparent in the intricately modelled faces, paws and floral spray. Compare a larger carving of a recumbent beast with a lingzhi fungus in its mouth beside its young, included in the exhibition China: Eine Weige der Veltkultur, Roemer und Pelizaeus-Museum, Hildersheim, 1994, cat. no. 228, and sold at Christie's London, 7^th November 2006, lot 12; and another figure group with the larger creature holding a peony branch, sold in our London rooms, 29^th May 1973, lot 204.