A CELADON JADE RAM MING DYNASTY OR EARLIER

the recumbent beast with its hoofed legs tucked under its body, the small head tilted slightly upwards with its horns curved back, detailed with fine incisions throughout, the stone of mottled celadon and brown tones 

There is a tiny polished chip to one foot, and a tiny bruise to another, otherwise the carving is in overall good condition.
"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."

See two jade rams in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, one attributed to the Song period, illustrated in Masterworks of Chinese Jade in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1973, cat. no. 23 (right), and the other in A Garland of Treasures. Masterpieces of Precious Crafts in the Museum Collections, Taipei, 2014, pl. IV-83 (lower centre); two slightly smaller examples included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. nos 67 and 93, the first attributed to the Tang dynasty and the second to the Song; another in the Rietberg Museum, Zurich, published in Marie-Fleur Burkart-Bauer, Chinesische Jaden aus drei Jahrtausenden, Zurich, 1986, pl. 110; and a further ram also attributed to the Song period, in the Zhi Rou Zhai collection, included in the exhibition Exquisite Jade Carving, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 88.