deftly carved in the round as a single-horned mythical beast in a crouching position with its head raised, the face with bulging eyes and a ruyi-shaped nose, the mouth open to reveal the teeth, the tail curled to one side, the softly polished stone of a yellowish-green tone with russet inclusions

Sotheby's London, 6th June 1995, lot 56.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, Minnesota, on loan, 1997-2008, no. L97.144.26.

The figure is in good condition.
"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."

This figure embodies elements characteristic of Song-Ming mythical creatures, such as the almost deliberately archaistic style of the dramatic pose, exaggerated features, curling tail and choice of mottled stone. As many of these jade carvings were based upon illustrations in contemporaneous woodblock print manuals, such as the Cheng shi moyuan [Ink Impressions of Cheng] (1606), the piece also reveals the ability of the carver to transform such prints into remarkably naturalistic three-dimensional figures.  Other yellow jade mythical beasts sold at auction include a crouching beast with beard from the Chang Shou studio, sold in these rooms, 5th April 2017, lot 3308; a yellow jade example from the Gerald Godfrey Collection, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30th October 1995, lot 866; one from the collection of Mr and Mrs Philip Pinsof, included in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1975, cat. no. 376; another, with a single horn, sold in our London rooms, 6th November 1973, lot 311; and a fourth example also with a horn, but with its head raised, from the collection of Joseph J. Schedel, sold at Christie’s New York, 2nd December 1989, lot 200.

From the Ming dynasty, yellow jade was recognised by scholars and connoisseurs as one of the most valued variations of nephrite. In his miscellany Yanxian Qingshang [Refined Enjoyment of Elegant Leisure], the dramatist Gao Lian (fl. 1573-1581) noted, "Of all jade materials, yellow stones with a mellow tone are the best and mutton-white ones come second". Because of its rarity, the natural mottling of the skin was often worked into the piece, as seen on the face and front legs of the mythical creature, to increase its overall size and show the carver’s respect for the rare and valuable material.