SONG-MING DYNASTY (960-1644)

The recumbent tiger is carved with its tail curled under the body, with finely incised details conveying a vivid expression. Song jade animals have three characteristics, namely: (1) using dye to achieve an archaic look or to match the real life colour of the animal; (2) the eyes of the animals are typically rendered as incised points or very small circles; and (3) the posture of the carved animals is vicarious and realistic. The present recumbent jade tiger possesses these Song characteristics and is exquisitely carved.