QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

A GREENISH-WHITE JADE RAM GROUP, SANYANG
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
The larger ram is carved with head turned to the side, with the two smaller rams nestled on either side of its bent legs. Each ram has wisps of vapor billowing from its mouths. The tone is of even, pale greenish-white tone with lighter markings on the horns and neck.
5 ¼ in. (13 cm.) wide, stand

Provenance

John Sparks Ltd., London, 1969.
Private collection, England.

Lot Essay

The ram is a symbol of filial piety, kindness and patience. The three rams, sanyang, are also an auspicious motif, related both to the sun and to male children, as they provide a rebus for sanyang kaitai, the opening up of the new growth in spring, which in turn symbolizes happiness and good fortune.

Compare with a 'three rams' jade group in the Palace Museum, Beijing, one illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 88, and another larger (22 cm. long) group, also dated to the Qianlong period, from the collection of Alan and Simone Hartman, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 November 2006, lot 1418.

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