A FINE AND RARE YELLOW JADE HOUND SONG / MING DYNASTY

naturalistically carved as a recumbent hound with well-defined features, his head resting between his outstretched paws, his hind legs tucked under the long sinuous body, the hair on his tail in tight curls, the smooth stone an attractive yellow tone with light russet skin on one side

George de Menasce Collection, no. 309 (according to label).
Spink & Son, London.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8th April 2007, lot 816.

The Collection of Chinese Porcelain and Works of Art formed by the late George de Menasce OBE, Spink & Son Ltd., London, 1972, no. 309.

The hound is in overall very good condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This piece belongs to a group of jade animals skillfully carved in naturalistic poses that appear to have been popular from the Song dynasty onwards. Compare, for instance, a crouching dog figure dated to the Song dynasty, illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, p. 366, pl. 26.10. A related recumbent yellow jade hound from the collection of Mrs. Joan Barrow, was published in Bluett & Sons, Ltd, Dr. Newton's Zoo. A Study of post-Archaic Small Jade Carvings, London, 1981, p. 19, no. 22, where this group of jades is attributed to the Song dynasty.