AN UNUSUAL PALE YELLOW JADE FIGURE OF A MYTHICAL BEAST

17TH CENTURY OR EARLIER

Details

AN UNUSUAL PALE YELLOW JADE FIGURE OF A MYTHICAL BEAST
17TH CENTURY OR EARLIER
Finely carved in Six Dynasties style as a prowling beast shown crouching low with right foreleg extended and the others bent as if to move quickly, the head turned to the side with finely detailed features and a pair of horns that form a 'V' between the ears, with scales on the front haunches, a pair of wings swept back on the sides and a long tail curled around behind the right rear haunch, the softly polished pale yellow stone with some russet markings
3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm.) long, wood box

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Lot Essay

Stylistically, the carving of this mythical beast and its pose appear to be based on similar carvings of Six Dynasties date, such as the carving of a bixie from the collection of Dr. and Mrs. Cheng Te-k'un, illustrated by James C.Y. Watt in the exhibition catalogue, Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, The Asia Society, New York, 1980, no. 12.

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