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TWO GREYISH-WHITE JADE 'KNUCKLEBONE' CARVINGS LIAO DYNASTY
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 HKD
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Description
- Jade
possibly intended for the game of jacks, each realistically carved in the form of a section of an animal bone, one pierced through on the side and the other on the top for suspension
Condition
The carvings are in overall good condition. They have also been pierced for suspension.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Knucklebones, which can be thrown as four-sided dice, were found in various ancient civilisations, including Egypt, Greek and Roman cultures. In China, knucklebones first appeared as early as the Shang dynasty but were probably used only as tributes. Later in the Liao and Jin dynasties, they were particularly popular as toys in the North and were imitated in various materials. Two jade examples dated to the Liao to Jin dynasty have been exhibited in Jades from China, Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, 1994, cat. nos. 253-254.
Knucklebones in a variety of materials continued to be made in later periods, see two agate examples dated to the Jin to Yuan dynasty, exhibited in Sparkling Splendpours – The Art of Ancient Chinese Carvings on Rock Crystal and Agate: The Taoshi Zhai Collection, Art Museum, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2000, cat. nos. 267-268. See also a later jade example comparable to the present lot included in Chinese Jades: The Dr. S. Y. Kwan Collection, Art Museum, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2012, cat. no. 3♐13.