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Lot Essay
The current lot compares closely to a jade carving of a foreigner, dated to the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), in the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, illustrated in the article ‘Chinese Jades’ by L.P. Roberts, published in Chinese Jades: Selected Articles from Orientations 1983-1996, Hong Kong, 1997, p.97, fig.6.
Compare also a pale celadon jade carving of a foreigner sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 26 November 2019, lot 43, where the figure stands on one foot, very similar to the present lot.
A further comparable jade carving of a foreigner dating to the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 27 November 2020, lot 543, where the figure stands next to an elephant and is portrayed wearing the same style hat and robes.
The current lot most likely represents a Sogdian merchant, widely seen in all art forms from the Tang dynasty onwards. Easily recognized by their unique pointy hats and robes and slightly exaggerated facial expressions such as the protuberant nose and beard.
Compare also a pale celadon jade carving of a foreigner sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 26 November 2019, lot 43, where the figure stands on one foot, very similar to the present lot.
A further comparable jade carving of a foreigner dating to the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 27 November 2020, lot 543, where the figure stands next to an elephant and is portrayed wearing the same style hat and robes.
The current lot most likely represents a Sogdian merchant, widely seen in all art forms from the Tang dynasty onwards. Easily recognized by their unique pointy hats and robes and slightly exaggerated facial expressions such as the protuberant nose and beard.