Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

Chinese Carved Celadon and Russet Jade Mythical Animal, Ming Dynasty or Earlier

$9,500
£7,308.03
€8,482.55
CA$13,397.27
A$15,007.19
CHF 7,882.32
MX$182,482.65
NOK 99,815.91
SEK 94,752.14
DKK 63,308.54

About the Item

A fine and unusual carving of a mythical animal, possibly a pixiu, of celadon and russet nephrite jade, Ming Dynasty or earlier, China. The mythical animal masterfully carved as a chimera, with a pair of stag antlers, the head of an eagle, the body of the lion, and seemingly throat scales of a dragon. These characteristics tend to point to the animal being a pixiu, the ancient and mythical chimeric animal of luck, fortune and protection. However, this example lacks the wings usually associated with the pixiu. The animal portrayed in a stretching position, with its forelegs bent towards the ground, hind quarters raised, its head and long neck turned to look back. Carved from a piece of pale celadon nephrite jade, with two large streaks of grayish-white, and one side of the stone retaining the russet "skin". Meant for the scholar's desk, this wonderful animal would have served as a curiosity, a fondling stone, paperweight, and object of wonder, to be viewed, touched, discussed and admired.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1.75 in (4.45 cm)Width: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)Depth: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)
  • Style:
    Ming (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    17th Century or Earlier
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. In fine condition, with some surface dirt in the the deeper incised lines.
  • Seller Location:
    Austin, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU894718536822

More From This Seller

View All
Chinese Yellow and Russet Jade Mythical Beast, Ming Dynasty or Earlier
Located in Austin, TX
A superb Chinese yellow and russet nephrite jade carving of a mythical beast, Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) or earlier, China The mythical beast is portrayed with feline features, i...
Category

Antique 17th Century Chinese Ming Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Chinese Hardstone Carved Mythical Beast Rhyton Vessel, 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
An early 20th century Chinese Republic period carved hardstone drinking vessel, called a rhyton, in the form of a mythical pixiu. The archaistic vessel carved in the Han Dynasty style from a single block of lavender gray nephrite and featuring a large horn-shaped cup being supported by a mythical pixiu. The pixiu carved with a nice sense of motion, head reared back, mouth open, and claws bared. The cup bearing a design of large horned taotie ogre masks on either side. The stone with areas of artificial "calcified" patination.  The pixiu is an ancient beast from...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Han Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Large Chinese Carved Nephrite Jade Double Buddha's Hand Vase, Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
A large and graceful carved nephrite jade conjoined double vase in the form of a pair of Buddha's hands fruit (finger citron), late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The large and heavy vase carved from a single piece of celadon nephrite jade, with areas of lighter brown "sugar" skin. The vase ingeniously carved as a pair of Buddha's hand fruit, also known as finger citron, rising from a gnarled, leafy branch. The smaller Buddha's hand with a pair of bats. The Buddha's hands fruit with elegant and naturalistic curved "fingers". The "fingers wonderfully shaped and reticulated. The body of the fruit with simple stippling, in imitation of the textured surface of the real fruit. The interior of each fruit well hollowed and able to hold water. Buddha's hands fruit are auspicious in Chinese culture. Their name in Chinese "Fo Shou" is a homophone for "Happiness and Longevity. They are often placed as offerings on Buddhist altars...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Chinese Carved Jadeite Vase and Cover, Qing Dynasty, Ex. C.T. Loo
Located in Austin, TX
A stunning carved and pierced Chinese jade vase, Qing Dynasty, 19th century. The vase is carved with a design of birds, flowers and trees, each rife ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Jade, Silver

Large Early 20th Century Chinese Carved Jade Vase
Located in Austin, TX
A large and impressive Chinese caved jade vase, Republic Period, circa 1930. Carved from one massive piece of jade. The vase carved with the He He Er Xian...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Vintage Chinese Hardstone Carving of Damo, Early to Mid 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderful vintage to near antique Chinese nephrite jade carving of Damo (Bodhidharma), with an associated carved hardwood stand, early to mid 20th century, possibly Republic Period...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Stone

You May Also Like

Six Dynasties Jade Mythological Beast
Located in Atlanta, GA
Auspicious beast carved in green jade, Six Dynasties period (220 to 589 A.D.). The Sixth Dynasties, the period immediately following the Han Dynasty, saw a shift from a profound be...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Antique Chinese Carved Hetain W/Celadon Jade "The Monkey Family" 18/19th Century
Located in Norton, MA
Antique Chinese Carved Hetain White/Celadon Jade "The Monkey Family" 3 monkeys, father, mother, and kid. They are pulling a lot of coins into a giant bag—good use of russet skin colo...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Chinese Other Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Qing Dynasty an Antique Chinese Carved Jade Figure of a Bullock
Located in Brea, CA
A Qing dynasty Chinese carved jade figure of a bullock. 13 cm x 6cm x 5 cm. weight 600g see more pictures.
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Antiquities

Materials

Jade

Antique Chinese Carved Hetain Light Celadon/ White Jade, 19th Century
Located in Norton, MA
Antique Chinese Carved Hetain Light Celadon White Jade depicting dragonfly and ruyi on a lotus leaf. Good use of russet skin coloring, 19th-century. -Dimensions and Density- Jade: ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Other Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

A Finely Chinese Hand Carved Myanmar Jadeite
Located in Norton, MA
This is hand-carved loverly jadeite with a color of light blue. It's an oval shape and almost round. You may think it's a pendant, but in reality is a 360° carving with a Monkey ridi...
Category

20th Century Chinese Other Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Chinese Pale Celadon Jade Foliate Study.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Pale Celadon Jade Foliate Study. Qing Dynasty. Asymmetrical and consistent in its color. Height 1.5 in., Width 2.25 in. Condition Report Good condition.
Category

20th Century Antiquities

Materials

Jade