A MOTTLED GRAY JADE FIGURE OF A HORSE, LATE MING-EARLY QING DYNASTY
Lot 130 - FAS1025

Expert’s note: Unlike the more conventional Qing dynasty carvings of horses depicted in recumbent poses, the present example is shown standing, emphasizing its powerful, sinewy build. This rare depiction of a standing horse—especially one of such substantial form—recalls the bold, muscular style of Tang dynasty stone and ceramic horses. Compare a much smaller, closely related jade carving of a horse standing foursquare on a rockwork base, 8.3 cm wide, dated to the late Ming dynasty, from the Sze Yuan Tang collection, at Bonhams Hong Kong, 5 April 2016, lot 55, sold for HKD $212,500 or EUR 28,000 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).

China, 17^th century. Finely carved standing foursquare with the head slightly turned inquisitively, the face modeled with a long snout, pricked ears, almond-shaped eyes, and flaring nostrils, its long mane neatly incised and falling on either side of the stout neck. The partially translucent stone of variegated hues of gray and pale celadon with cloudy inclusions, dark specks, and russet veins.

Provenance: Liberty & Co., London, 1957. A private collection in Scotland, acquired from the above and thence by descent. Copies of the invoice from Liberty & Co. and an insurance valuation letter from Spink & Son, London, dated 8 April 1976, accompany this lot.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, small scattered nicks and tiny losses around the hooves, the stone with natural fissures, some of which have developed into thin hairline cracks.

Weight: 1,478.5 g
Dimensions: Length 22.5 cm

The horse symbolizes speed, perseverance, success, and nobility, carrying a wealth of auspicious meanings through homophones and idiomatic expressions. One of the most well-known is ma dao cheng gong, meaning 'success arrives with the horse,' a metaphor for swift and effortless victory. The horse also embodied the aspirations and struggles of literati scholars, representing their quest for a discerning ruler who would recognize their talents—much like the legendary Bo Le, famed for his ability to identify extraordinary steeds.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related gray jade figure of a resting horse, 21 cm long, dated to the Qing dynasty, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, object number 故玉002882N000000000.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 26 March 2010, lot 1088
Price: USD 32,500 or approx. EUR 41,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A mottled gray jade figure of a recumbent horse
Expert remark: Compare the closely related stone, manner of carving, and subject, with similar features, expression, incision work, color, veining, and size (25.5 cm).