176 - A RARE, LARGE, GRAY JADE MODEL OF A MYTHICAL BIRD

A RARE, LARGE, GRAY JADE MODEL OF A MYTHICAL BIRD China, Song to Ming dynasties, L 23 cm. Carved on an unusually grand scale from a single, heavy pebble of dark gray and mottled brown jade. The mythical bird is rendered in the round, combining features of a dove with a long, sweeping phoenix tail. The chest is carved with overlapping scalloped feathers, while the wings and tail are detailed with dense, parallel line striations. The stone exhibits a smooth, satin-like patina throughout. Provenance: - Martina Erica Spica, Lugano, 2007 (certificate, dated to the Han dynasty). - Private Collection, Switzerland. This remarkable jade carving is distinguished not only by its exceptionally rare, monumental scale for a bird of this type (measuring 23 cm in length), but also by its sophisticated handling of the material and the archaic revivalism characteristic of the Song dynasty (960–1279). During the Song period, jade carvers developed a deep fascination with antiquity (drawing on Shang, Zhou, and Han models) while simultaneously fostering a renewed, naturalistic observation of the natural world—a duality heavily promoted by the imperial court and the literati class. The choice of a heavy, dark gray and mottled brown river pebble exemplifies the Song aesthetic principle of utilizing yusheng (the natural surface and impurities of the raw boulder), transforming what might be considered flaws into dynamic tonal contrasts that trace the contours of the bird’s body. Iconographically, the hybrid creature combines the features of a dove with the arched tail of a phoenix (fenghuang). This composite treatment finds close stylistic parallels in animal carvings produced during the Northern and Southern Song dynasties, bridging Tang naturalism with Ming decorative rigidity. Furthermore, the meticulous execution of the plumage reveals a level of sculptural refinement and tactile surface finish (exhibiting a soft, waxy satin patina acquired over centuries) that is virtually diagnostic of high-status Song workshops. Due to new EU import regulations, it may no longer be possible to import this item after June 28, 2025. If you intend to do so, please contact the department before bidding.