CHINA QING DYNASTY 18th CENTURY RESTING BULL-OX CARVED IN JADEITE GREENISH JADE
RECLINING BULL FROM THE QING DYNASTY (1644-1911).
AN ANCIENT PORTABLE SCULPTURE OF A BULL OR AN OX, FROM THE CHINESE, QING DYNASTY (1644-1911) PERIOD, Circa 18th CENTURY. IT WAS HAND CARVED FROM NATURAL TRANSLUCENT NEPHRITE GREENISH JADE SHOWING A THREE DIMENSIONAL RESTING FIGURE OF A BULL WITH HORNS.
A FANTASTIC PIECE, WITH VERY NICE DETAILS, ESPECIALLY EVIDENT IN THE BULL'S HEAD AND HORNS.
THIS LITTLE MYTHICAL BEAST SCULPTURE, HAVE A TOTAL WEIGHT OF 54.96 Grams (274.8 Carats) AND A MEASURES OF 62.2 BY 34.5 BY 19.35 mm (2.45 x 1.36 x 0.76 Inches).
IN THE ANCIENT CHINESE MYTHOLOGY, BULL, OXEN, COWS, BEEF CATTLE, BUFFALO AND SO ON ARE VERY IMPORTANT MOTIF. THERE ARE MANY MYTHS ABOUT THE OXEN OR OX-LIKE BEINGS, INCLUDING BOTH CELESTIAL AND EARTHLY VARIETIES. THE MYTHS RANGE FROM ONES WHICH INCLUDE OXEN OR COMPOSITE BEINGS WITH OX CHARACTERISTICS AS MAJOR ACTORS TO ONES WHICH FOCUS ON HUMAN OR DIVINE ACTORS, IN WHICH THE ROLE OF THE OXEN ARE MORE SUBSIDIARY. IN SOME CASES, CHINESE MYTHS FOCUS ON OXEN-RELATED SUBJECTS, SUCH AS PLOWING AND AGRICULTURE OR OX-POWERED CARRIAGE. ANOTHER IMPORTANT ROLE FOR BEEF CATTLE IS IN THE RELIGIOUS CAPACITY OF SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGS.
TRADITIONALLY, THE OX IS CONSIDERED TO BE AN ANIMAL THAT WORKS HARD AND MAKES NO COMPLAINTS. IN THE LEGENDARY RACE HELD BY THE JADE EMPEROR TO DECIDE THE ORDER OF THE ZODIAC ANIMALS, THE OX WAS IN THE LEAD THE WHOLE TIME, BUT LOST TO THE RAT, WHO TOOK A FREE RIDE ON THE OX’S BACK AND LEAPT FORWARD WHEN THEY WERE ABOUT TO REACH THE FINISH LINE.
PROVENANCE: A PRIVATE COLLECTION IN NEW YORK CITY COLLECTED IN THE 1964; T.K. ASIAN ANTIQUITIES GALLERY, WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA; A PRIVATE COLLECTION IN PALM BEACH FL; THEN PURCHASED BY JAMES & NANCY MARKELL, VIRGINIA 1976; THEN BY DESCENT TO LAUREN MARKLAND, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL.; ACQUIRED IN PALM BEACH, FL. IN MARCH 7, 2021.
THIS PIECE OF ART IS, IN PERFECT CONDITION, TRANSLUCENT AND WITH VERY SMOOTH SURFACE.
INVENTORY REF: P0000ENHJ/.1111
