† A MOTTLED GRAY AND RUSSET JADE FIGURE OF A HORSE, MING DYNASTY

† A MOTTLED GRAY AND RUSSET JADE FIGURE OF A HORSE, MING DYNASTY China, 1368-1644. Well sculpted as a recumbent horse with the legs tucked in. The head is turned backwards with the mane falling on either side of the arched neck, and the tail is flicked onto the right rear haunch. The artist was cleverly utilizing the russet areas to accentuate the extremities and mane of the horse. The opaque stone of a cream color with areas of russet and dark gray inclusions. Provenance: U.S. collection. The authentication of this piece was conducted by Senior Fellow Gu Fang of the Institute of Archeology Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) on 4 August 2023, number 109161-17124, described as ‘Jade horse’, dated to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), signed by Gu Fang, and notarized by Notary Noreen J. Lowery, New York. Gu Fang, born 1962 in Beijing, graduated from the Department of Archeology of the prestigious Beijing University in 1986. He later studied at the CASS where he is now working as a Senior Fellow specializing in Archeological excavations and research on Chinese Jades. Gu Fang authored several books on Chinese jades including 15 volumes on ‘The Complete Collection of Jades Unearthed in China’, one of the largest collections of Chinese jades to date. Condition: Good condition with minor wear, and light surface scratches. External Expert Authentication: A copy of the authentication report from Senior Fellow Gu Fang of the Institute of Archeology Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) accompanies this lot and will be transmitted to the winning bidder. Weight: 431 g Dimensions: Length 10.5 cm Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 24 September 2012, lot 742 Price: USD 43,750 or approx. EUR 55,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A mottled grey jade figure of a recumbent horse, Ming dynasty (1368-1644) Expert remark: Compare the related pose, form of the eyes, and color of the jade. Note the fine incision work and larger size (22.2 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 23 September 2022, lot 730 Price: USD 12,600 or approx. EUR 12,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A mottled grey jade figure of a recumbent horse, Ming dynasty (1368-1644) Expert remark: Compare the related pose and color of the jade. Note the smaller size (7.9 cm). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.