A YELLOW JADE 'QILIN' CARVING YUAN / MING DYNASTY |

formed from an oval pebble, the body recumbent with the head turning to the left and the forepaws tucked beneath the jaw, the wide face set with round eyes, pointed ears, a tapering beard, and a long horn extending down the neck and between the shoulders, the bifurcated tail wrapping around the hips at each side, the swirls of qi emanating from the fur seamlessly blending with the wispy pattern of the cloud on which the animal rests, the stone a pale yellowish-beige color with fine russet striations, wood stand (2)

Collection of Dr. Isaac Newton.
Bluett & Sons, London.
Weisbrod Chinese Art, Ltd., New York, 4th October 1982.

Dr. Newton's Zoo, Bluett & Sons, London, 1981, cat. no. 27, col. pl. III.

Overall in good condition with a few scattered russet fissures. There is an aperture between the creature's front paws, possibly later pierced. The color of the stone is slightly whiter than in the illustration in the printed catalog.
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 compact carving of a qilin has a remarkable sense of movement in the scrolling patterns covering its entire surface. The same rhythm flows through the spiraling twists of the ears, the wave-like cadence of the fur, the coiling of the qi, and the eddies of the cloud, giving form to the mythical creature's innate energy, evident even when at rest, and the qilin's harmony with the natural order. The subtly rounded edges of these low-relief swirls further enliven the animal as they catch light at different angles and lead the eye on a winding path around the body. The quality of the stone, the carving, and the overall coherence of the composition point to a Yuan / Ming dynasty attribution. Compare a white and russet jade figure of a mythical beast sold in our London rooms, 15th December 1987, lot 12; a yellow and russet jade carving of a coiled beast sold in those same rooms, 11th December 1984, lot 77; a white and russet jade carving of a tortoise-like mythical creature offered at Christie's New York, 4th June 1992, lot 5; a pale celadon and russet jade 'geese' group sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 7th October 2015, lot 3654; and a white and russet jade carving of a chimera sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1st June 2011, lot 3934.