A WHITE JADE FIGURE OF A MYTHICAL BEAST MING DYNASTY

finely worked in the round, its slender and muscular body depicted resting on its haunches accentuated with sharp talons and picked out with archaistic motifs, the facial features well defined with bulging eyes and flaring nostrils above a curled beard and below small pointed ears and two horns at the forehead, with a knobbly spine sweeping back to a long bushy tail curling up to its chest, the stone of a pure white colour throughout with a small russet inclusion on the beast's backside

The Zhirouzhai Collection.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8th October 2008, lot 2321.

Sydney S.K. Fung and Yeung Chun-tong, eds., Exquisite Jade Carving: Figures, Animals, Ornaments, University Museum and Art Gallery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 111.
Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 142.

Good condition. Please note that the beast is 6.1 cm high, and 4.4 cm wide as mentioned in the 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."

The present piece is a superb example of the carver taking advantage of the pebble shape to create a crouching mythical creature. Half seated with its rear legs poised for action and head raised to attention, the highly-polished surface and smoothly rounded forms provide an impeccable base upon which the details are carved. Although the rigid knobbed spine, prominent archaistic patterns and pebble-form are typical of the Ming period, the extent of decoration, depth of carving and finely modelled facial features and paws demonstrate the carver's expertise in the medium.