MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)

The depiction of this phoenix, shown in a recumbent position with head turned backwards and wings folded beside and on the back of the body, appears to be a Song mannerism that continued into the Ming dynasty. The pose must have appealed to the carver as it allowed him to create a compact shape of graceful, complimentary curves. This pose and style of carving can be seen in the figure of a jade phoenix, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 13 January 1987, lot 221, and later illustrated by R. Kleiner in Chinese Jades from the Collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, 1996, no. 36, where it is dated Song. Two other related figures are illustrated by J. C. Y. Watt in Chinese jades from Han to Ch'ing, Asia Society, New York, 1980, nos. 80 and 81, the first dated Song dynasty, the second late Song-early Ming, 13th-14th century.