明 青白玉「英雄」擺件

meticulously carved in the form of a crouching bear with its head looking forward, its pointed face detailed with small pricked ears and a slightly opened mouth, with an eagle perched atop its rear haunches, the bird with finely incised plumage, the stone of a pale celadon tone with mottled grey inclusions and russet-brown patches

Constance Margaret Goldney （1920-2009）收藏，Ightham，肯特郡，英格蘭

There is general surface wear, and minor issues including a minor bruise to the underside of the eagle, and a minute frit to the bear's jaw. Other than this, it is in good condition. The colour has been accurately captured in the catalogue illustration.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Deftly modelled in the round, the present carving is notable for its naturalistic carving of the bird which perches precariously upon a bear. In its down-turned open mouth and modelling of the head, the bear is based on Han jade renderings of the animal, characterised by the manner in which the bear ruff and ears are depicted in a sweeping curve. Compare a carving of a bear attributed to the Han dynasty, from the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Washington D.C., included in the exhibition Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. no. 41.

Further yingxiong carvings include a white jade example published in Therese Tse Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, San Francisco, 2006, p. 126; and another sold in our London rooms, 4^th November 2007, lot 3. For jade examples of this motif depicting a mythical creature with a hawk, see one from the Kirknorton collection, illustrated in Brian Morgan, Naturalism and Archaism, London, 1995, pl. 59; and another in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, included in Angus Forsyth and Brian McElney, Jades from China, Bath, 1994, pl. 292.

Popularised in the Ming dynasty, the combination of an eagle or hawk (ying) and bear or mythical creature (xiong) form the rebus for ‘hero’ and ‘bravery’. A carving such as the present would have been presented as a gift to someone in the military.