A WHITE JADE FIGURE OF A RAM QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY |

well worked from a lustrous white stone, portrayed recumbent with its legs tucked beneath its rounded body, its head facing forward with two curved striated horns rendered in openwork and extending downwards, the back of the beast subtly accentuated with a curved spinal column terminating in a short tail detailed with incisions

Sotheby's London, 6th June 1995, lot 44.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, Minnesota, on loan, 1997-2008, no. L97.327.16.

Overall very good condition with very occasional minuscule nibbles, especially to one ear.
"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."

Small jade carvings of animals, often depicted in recumbent poses, became an essential item for the scholar’s desk as they were used both as paperweights and as works of art in their own right. Figures of rams have a long history in China, first appearing on Shang ritual bronzes and in the form of bronze lamps and ceramic tomb figures during the Han dynasty. By the Qing dynasty, the ram had acquired many symbolic associations: it was considered symbolic of peace, prosperity and filial piety, as it was said to kneel with reverence when drinking its mother’s milk. See two related 18th-century white jade examples sold in these rooms: the first one, 8th April 2014, lot 3150, and the other, with the head turned backwards, 7th October 2015, lot 3776. Compare also a jade ram with a slightly raised head, offered in this sale, lot 3674.