Description A Chinese greyish white jade carving of a foreigner on a mythical beast
18th Century or earlier
The curly-haired foreigner in a flowing robe seated astride the beast, with scarves fluttering in the wind, bearing a vase of auspicious objects in his hands, the curly-maned beast with scrolling brows, its front left paw raised and back right leg extended mid-stride, the stone of a slightly mottled opaque pale greyish-beige tone.
H: 2 1/4, L: 3 in.
PROVENANCE:
Collection of Sau Kuen Chin, Guangdong Province, acquired prior to 1961
Thence by descent to the present owner, a private New England collection
Note: Such a depiction of a foreigner with mythical beast is unusual. Compare the figure of a western groom tending a horse in the Avery Brundage Collection, Asian Arts Museum, San Francisco, B64J388. See also the larger figure of Fung-Kan, with fluttering scarves and leonine beast, dated to the late Ming dynasty, in Stanley Charles Nott, "Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages", Rutland, 1972, pl. CXLVII. See also Liu Yang and Edmund Capon, "Translucent World, Chinese Jade from the Forbidden City, Sydney, 2000, no. 48, for a small figure of a dancing foreigner, dated to the Tang dynasty, and a foreigner with vase, dated to the 17th/18th century, sold at Christie's New York, March 18, 2008, lot 420.
Condition Report Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Freeman's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Freeman's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Freeman's. For that reason, Freeman's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. All transactions are governed by Freeman's Conditions of Sale.
