naturalistically depicted crouching on its feet, with the head raised and elaborate tail feathers finely detailed with incisions, the even white translucent stone highlighted with a patch of russet skin on the underside

There is a minute nick to the edge of the wattle, and a small bruise to the beak. Some minor nibbling along the extremities. The stone with an area of small natural nicks near the russet patch and some minor russet veining.
"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."

Small jade carvings of roosters are rare, and the present piece is a particularly exquisite example for its fine modelling. The translucency and even tone of the jade stone is enhanced by the soft round body, which in turns provides an attractive contrast to the detailed feathers of the tail and wings. The skilful incorporation of the natural russet inclusions of the stone not only displays the carver’s appreciation of the precious material but also heightens the overall sense of three-dimensionality. It is interesting to note that this piece would have echoed the past as its pose is reminiscent of jade staff finials in the form of birds, such as one attributed to the Tang period, included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 70.

A slightly larger jade rooster modelled in a similar pose, was included in the exhibition The Woolf Collection of Chinese Jade, Sotheby’s, London, 2013, cat. no. 107; one modelled with its head turned back and grasping a sprig of chrysanthemum, was included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Animals, op. cit., cat. no. 180; and a third carved standing next to a rock, was sold at Christie’s New York, 23rd March 2012, lot 835. Compare also a carving of two roosters, attributed to the early Ming period, in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, illustrated in Jades from China, Bath, 1994, pl. 282.