A RARE WHITE MARBLE SCROLL WEIGHT TANG DYNASTY

naturalistically carved as a crouching rabbit, all supported on a six-lobed cushion base, the marble with extensive encrustation from burial



 

Sotheby's London, 2nd December 1974, lot 47.
British Rail Pension Fund.
Sotheby's London, 12th December 1989, lot 30.

There are some dirt stock to the surface and degradation to the marble consistent with age. There are also some chips to the stone, with the largest one measuring about 1 cm to the edge of the base.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This piece is a charming example of Tang animal carving which, despite its small size, possesses the sense of vitality and imminent movement that is characteristic of the period. Compare small white marble carvings of rabbits from this period similarly carved in crouching poses, but on rectangular bases, such as one sold in these rooms, 13th December 1988, lot 20; another sold in our New York rooms, 7th December 1983, lot 104; and a slightly larger example, from the Richard C. Bull Collection, sold in our New York rooms, 6th December 1983, lot 252. A pair of small free-standing marble rabbits was also sold in our New York rooms, 29th November 1988, lot 69.

In ancient China the moon was represented by a white disc containing a rabbit, and the rabbit is the fourth animal in the twelve-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. The current year is the year of the rabbit.