A CHINESE PALE GREEN JADE CARVING OF A RECUMBENT RAM, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

拍品描述

A CHINESE PALE GREEN JADE CARVING OF A RECUMBENT RAM, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911) Carved in pale green jade, the figure is modelled as a recumbent ram, its body compactly composed and smoothly rounded to emphasise the soft lustre and tactile quality of the stone. The animal is shown at rest, with folded legs tucked beneath the body and the head turned back over the shoulder, creating a balanced, self-contained silhouette. The carving is worked with restrained but expressive detail. The head is gently defined with almond-shaped eyes, long ears and a slightly lowered muzzle, while incised lines articulate the beard and flowing tufts of hair. The body is polished to a soft sheen, allowing the subtle translucency and pale green tone of the jade to carry much of the visual effect. The recumbent pose gives the piece a quiet, contemplative character, while the turned head introduces movement and intimacy into the composition. In Chinese jade carving, animals were frequently chosen not only for their formal appeal but also for their auspicious associations, and the ram is traditionally connected with gentleness, prosperity and beneficent fortune. During the Qing dynasty, small jade carvings of animals were prized as scholarly objects, personal ornaments or treasured cabinet pieces. Their appeal lay in the combination of refined material, symbolic subject and intimate scale. This example reflects that tradition through its polished surface, compact modelling and careful use of the stone’s natural colour. A finely conceived small jade carving, the ram combines auspicious imagery with the understated elegance characteristic of Qing dynasty jade workmanship. Length: 6cm

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