18TH CENTURY

Details

A WHITE JADE CARVING OF TWO HORSES
18TH CENTURY
The two recumbent horses are shown with their legs tucked under their bodies and their heads turned towards each other. Their manes and tails are detailed with hair markings. The semi-translucent stone is of even white color and well polished.
2 ¾ in. (7 cm.) long, cloth box

Provenance

Christie’s New York, 16 September 1998, lot 161 (part).
Mr. O.J.R. Allen Collection.
Marchant & Son, London.

Literature

Marchant, Jades from Mr. O.J.R. Allen Collection, 2013, no. 29, pp. 62-63.

Lot Essay

As symbols of speed and strength, horses have been favored in Chinese paintings for their prestige and masculine presence. Horses are also depicted as metaphors for the fine qualities of good officials, and embody the wish for immediate success. The present carving could very likely be a scholar's object, such as a paper weight, made for the literati or for those who wish to join to the literati circle.

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