A WHITE JADE CARVING OF AN OWL

SHANG DYNASTY, C. 1600-1046 BC

Details

A WHITE JADE CARVING OF AN OWL
SHANG DYNASTY, C. 1600-1046 BC
The jade is carved in the round depicting an owl standing on its feet and tail, with a pair of notched horns and features delineated with incised lines. The semi-translucent stone is of an even greenish-white tone with areas of white opaque mottling.
1 7/16 in. (3.5 cm.) high, box

Provenance

Jinhuatang Collection, acquired in Taipei in 1998

Lot Essay

Compare to a jade carving of an owl excavated from the tomb of the Shang queen, Fu Hao, consort of king Wu Ding, at Anyang, Henan province, illustrated in Yinxu Fuhao mu (The Jades from the tomb of Fu Hao at Yinxu), Beijing, 1980, pl. 137, no. 3 (465), which shares a nearly identical posture as the present carving and similar treatment of the incised details.

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