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Lot Essay
When previously published, this rare, charming figure has been identified as a foreigner based on his facial features, as well as his curly hair held in place by a narrow fillet, his earrings and his clothes. He also appears to be holding a large jade ‘pebble’, indicating he may be a trader of jades, or is presenting it as an offering. The carving is sensitive and special attention has been given to the rendering of his cloak and belted tunic, the folds in the sleeves especially well defined.
Representations of foreigners in jade are seen as early as the Tang dynasty, such as the seated musician carved on a jade plaque in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, illustrated by Desmond Gure, “Selected Examples from the Jade Exhibition at Stockholm, 1963; A Comparative Study”, B.M.F.E.A., vol. 36, 1964, p. 142, pl. 22, fig. 4. Also illustrated and dated Tang, pl. 22, figs. 5a and b, is a small jade figure of a foreigner shown seated as he holds a large jar in his extended hands. Like the present figure he has curly hair encircled by a fillet.
Representations of foreigners in jade are seen as early as the Tang dynasty, such as the seated musician carved on a jade plaque in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, illustrated by Desmond Gure, “Selected Examples from the Jade Exhibition at Stockholm, 1963; A Comparative Study”, B.M.F.E.A., vol. 36, 1964, p. 142, pl. 22, fig. 4. Also illustrated and dated Tang, pl. 22, figs. 5a and b, is a small jade figure of a foreigner shown seated as he holds a large jar in his extended hands. Like the present figure he has curly hair encircled by a fillet.