清十八世紀初 白玉三犬擺件

finely and skilfully worked in the form of two dogs playfully wrestling with each other and a younger cub beside, the larger dog clambering atop the other dog with its front paws perched on the hind legs of the dog beneath, endearingly nuzzling the front paw of its sprawling companion, the younger cub lying beside, each beast superbly rendered with an elongated snout and well-defined nasal bones, furled ears and almond-shaped eyes, the smoothly polished stone of an even white tone, wood stand

倫敦蘇富比1996年12月17日，編號261
Spink & Son Ltd，倫敦，1998年

There is a small nick to the left ear of the larger dog and other nibbling along the extremities. The stone has minor russet-brown natural flaws to the ear of the larger dog, and the tail and legs of the dogs.
"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."

三犬造型細膩圓潤，憨直溫馴，姿態活潑可愛，躍然生動，且三犬交纏，卻仍顯自然靈活，可見匠人心巧工高之造詣。 由於白玉矜貴難得，工匠悉心沿原石形狀雕刻，左右把玩觀賞，其趣各異。

唐代以降，此類玉雕犬擺件多見俯伏狀，亦鮮有三犬並列者。可比較之類例，香港蘇富比曾先後拍出，兩件均為玉雕雙犬擺件，第一件售於1984年11月20日，編號541；第二件售於1995年10月30日，編號932；Walter Stein收藏一例，售於紐約蘇富比，1982年2月26日，編號518。另一三貓嬉戲玉雕擺件，與本品異曲同工，曾展於敏求精舍舉辦之《中國玉雕》展覽，香港藝術館，香港，1983，編號164；天津博物館珍藏一件三獅玉雕，圖見《天津博物館藏玉》，北京，2012年，圖版174。