- 307
A WHITE JADE 'THREE RAMS' BELT HOOK QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD
Estimate
180,000 - 250,000 HKD
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Description
- jade
finely carved with the head of a ram forming the hook and two small recumbent calves breathing forth swirls of vapour issuing a 'yin yang' medallion on the arched shaft, the smoothly polished stone of an even white colour with a tiny patch of russet skin
Condition
The belts hook is in very good overall condition. There is a tiny minute nick to the edge of the hook on the underside and a small natural inclusion on the edge by the bottom end.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Belt hooks carved with this charming motif of three rams are unusual and the present piece is notable for the even tone. A belt hook carved in the form of a ram, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in The Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum. Jade, vol. 9: Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl. 207. Compare also a white jade belt hook in the form of a horse and monkey included in the exhibition Chinese Jades from Han to Ch’ing, Asia House Gallery, New York, 1980, cat. no. 189; another sold in these rooms, 8th October 2010, lot 2855.
The ram as one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac is the cyclical animal of the current year. Depictions of three rams (san yang) became very popular during the Qing dynasty, as they form the rebus san yang qi tai (‘Spring comes in its full form’), which grants the wish for an auspicious new year. This phrase refers to the tai hexagram in the Book of Changes (Yijing), which stands for good fortune and prosperity. Furthermore, the word for ram (yang) is homophonous with the character for the positive force of nature (yang).