MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)

This type of pebble nephrite, when found in its natural form, is frequently of a yellowish-green color with a darker, often jet-black skin. It was extremely popular with carvers from the Tang through the Ming dynasty, the reason for which is immediately apparent from the impact the color pattern has on the intensity of the figure. The current example uses the black skin of the stone to draw attention to the exquisitely carved features, which give the figure its lifelike appearance. A mythical beast carved from the same type of stone, and dated to the late Ming dynasty, was sold in these rooms, 19 September 2007, lot 64.