MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)

Details

A SUPERB WHITE AND RUSSET JADE FIGURE OF A MYTHICAL BEAST
MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)
The mythical beast is depicted with flame-like decoration outlining the eyes and beaded ribbon-like curls highlighting the haunches and bifurcated tail. The stone is of an even white tone with a dusting of russet to the top.
3 in. (7.8 cm.) wide

Provenance

Robert H. Ellsworth (1929-2014), New York.
Anthony Carter, London, 29 March 2004.
The LJZ Collection, United States.

Literature

J. C. Y. Watt, Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, New York, 1980, p. 63, no. 43.
A. Carter, The LJZ Collection of Chinese Jades, London, 2022, pp. 64-65, no. 27.

Exhibited

New York, Asia House Gallery, Chinese Jade from Han to Ch'ing, Fall 1980.

Conditions of sale

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Lot Essay

The unusual, flat, broad head of this animal and the square shape of its jaw are similar to that of another white jade mythical animal shown with its cub in the collection of W. P. Chung, illustrated by Ip Yee, Chinese Jade Carving, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1983, pp. 168-69, no. 155, where it is dated late Ming. Also illustrated, pp. 156-7, no. 143, is another white jade mythical animal with a cub, dated Song or later, shown in a similar position and with C-scroll flames on the haunches and a somewhat square profile to the head.

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