- 3443
A CELADON AND RUSSET JADE FIGURE OF A BEAST SHANG DYNASTY |
Estimate
350,000 - 450,000 HKD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- 10.3 cm, 4 in.
depicted crouching on all fours and terminating in a long tapering tail curling upwards at the end, the muscular contours of the horned beast, possibly a stylised tiger, superbly rendered with rounded outlines, incised overall with double-line scrollwork, the prominent snout rendered ferocious with an open mouth baring its fangs below oval eyes, the lustrous stone of a variegated celadon colour accentuated with attractive russet veining
Provenance
Alvin Lo Oriental Art Ltd, New York
Literature
Robert P. Youngman, The Youngman Collection of Chinese Jades from Neolithic to Qing, Chicago, 2008, no. 41.
Condition
The figure is in overall very good condition with just some natural flaws/old chips to the snout and tail.
"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
Closely related carvings of tigers were discovered at the late Shang tomb of Fu Hao, a consort of King Wu Ding (r. 1324-1265 B.C.), and illustrated in Tomb of Lady Hao at Yinxu in Anyang, Beijing, 1980, pl. CXXXV, pls 1 and 2, together a malachite tiger, pl. CLXXV, no. 4, and one carved from bone, pl. CLXXXIII, no. 3. Compare also a tiger from the Yangdetang collection, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29th November 2017, lot 2725. Jade tigers of this type appear to derive from contemporary depictions of tigers on bronzes from southern China, as discussed by Jessica Rawson in Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, p. 206, where she illustrates a line drawing of a bronze tiger with one of a jade example from the tomb of Fu Hao, fig. 3.