AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE WHITE AND RUSSET JADE TIGER SCROLL-WEIGHTTang Dynasty or earlierThe large pebble finely carved as a tightly coiled tiger with large bulbous eyes above jaws agape revealing fangs, the body with finely incised stripes and terminating with two curled tails, the paws tucked neatly beneath the body, the stone of pale white tone with russet-brown speckles. 6.5cm (2 1/2in) wide. Footnotes:唐或更早 玉虎紙鎮Provenance: a Japanese private collection, by reputeR.H.Ellsworth (1929-2014), New York (noted in a Spink and Son Ltd. Valuation, dated 12 January 1968)Bluett and Sons Ltd., LondonA British private collection, and thence by descentPublished and Illustrated: Bluett and Sons Ltd., Oriental Art II, London, 1991, no.9 (dated as Western Han dynasty)J.Rawson, 'Strange Creatures' in Oriental Art, vol.XLIV, 1998, pp.44-47, fig.5 (dated as Western Han dynasty)J.Rawson, 'The Eternal Palaces of the Western Han: A New View of the Universe' in Artibus Asiae, vol.LIX, 1999, Zurich, pp.5-55, fig.32 (dated as Western Han dynasty)On Loan: The British Museum, London, from c.1998來源：日本私人收藏（據傳）R.H.Ellsworth (1929-2014)，紐約（由Spink and Son Ltd.提供的一份日期為1968年1月12日的評估報告中提及）倫敦古董商Bluett and Sons Ltd.蘇格蘭私人收藏，並由後人保存迄今著錄：Bluett and Sons，《Oriental Art II》，倫敦，1991年，編號9（斷代為西漢）J.Rawson， 《Strange Creatures》，《Oriental Art》，第44期，1998年，第44-47頁，插圖5（斷代為西漢）J.Rawson，《The Eternal Palaces of the Western Han: A New View of the Universe》，《亞洲藝術》，第59期，1999年，蘇黎世，第5-55頁，圖版32（斷代為西漢）借展：大英博物館，倫敦，約1998年J.Rawson notes regarding the present jade tiger, that jade carvings such as the present lot, 'were probably made in small sets, like the very fine group from near the tomb of Yuan Di (reigned 48-33 BC) in Shaanxi.'; see J.Rawson, 'The Eternal Palaces of the Western Han: A New View of the Universe' in Artibus Asiae, vol.LIX, 1999, Zurich, p.52. In the Bluett's 1991 catalogue, also showing the present lot, it was noted that this carving shared the characteristics of other Han dynasty carvings in being carved in the round from a pebble of whitish tone with a surface that in places is pitted with brown specks of iron rust tone. It was also noted that cup shaped ears and finely carved claws are also found on these jades. A further comparison was made between the incised tiger stripes on the jade carving and those found on bronze animals inlaid with silver or gold of the Warring States period/Han dynasty; see Oriental Art II, 1991, no.9. For related jade carvings of tiger, Han dynasty, see J.C.Y.Watt, Chinese Jades from Han to Ch'ing, New York, 1980, p.40, no.9; and another illustrated in Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong, 1996, pp.80-81, no.46.The present carving of the tiger is exquisitely lively and dynamic, through the jaws open to reveal the menacing teeth, the long thick coiled striped tail emerging from the powerful back haunches, the naturalistic finely curved spine, and the exquisite detail on the underside of the clawed back foot touching on one of the front paws. This dynamism is indicative of an early dating. However, whilst a Western Han dating is possible, it is also possible that this piece is an early revival harking back to the Han style. The tiger has long been one of the oldest symbols for protection in China and is considered as one of the most powerful beasts for warding off evil. The tiger motif inspires both awe and admiration and also embodies the spirit and drive for success. According to Handai jiuyi (The Old Rites of the Han Dynasty), jade seals with a tiger-shaped knob were made for the use of the emperor and empress, indicating the importance of the tiger.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
