Jade Animal Sculptures

A reclining Foo Dog from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Delicate antique sculpture of a reclined Foo Dog, created during the Chinese imperial, Qing dynasty (1644-1911) period, circa 18th century. This small figure was carved from natural white translucent nephrite jade, in full reclining three dimensional pose. Exhibiting great details, especially evident in the mane, teeth, claws, hairs and the well defined appendages on the bottom part. This little mythical beast sculpture, have a total weight of 59.67 grams or 298.35 carats. The measures are, 48.11 by 27.98 by 29.97 mm (1.89 x 1.34 x 1.18 inches). Guardian Lions The Foo Dog or Pho Dog, is a traditional chinese architectural ornament. typically made of stone or jade, these decorations are also known as stone lions or "shishi". These statues, have traditionally stood in front or inside of Chinese imperial palaces, imperial tombs, government offices, temples, and the homes of government officials and the wealthy, and were believed to have powerful mythic protective benefits from negative energy. They are also used in other artistic contexts, for example on door-knockers, and in pottery. pairs of guardian lion statues are still common and symbolic elements at the entrances to restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and other structures, with one sitting on each side of the entrance. Since the introduction of this mythical lion symbolism from the indian culture, specially through buddhist symbolism, statues of guardian lions have traditionally stood in front of chinese imperial palaces, imperial tombs, government offices, temples and the home of government officials and the wealthy, from the han dynasty (206 bc-220 ad), and were believed to have powerful mythic protective benefits. In China the lions are usually depicted in pairs. when used as statuary the pair would consist of a male leaning his paw upon an embroidered ball (in imperial contexts, representing supremacy over the world) and a female restraining a playful cub that is on its back (representing nurture). The Qing dynasty, officially the Great Qing, was the Manchu-led last dynasty in the imperial history of China. It was proclaimed in 1636 in Manchuria (modern-day Northeast China), in 1644 entered Beijing, extended its rule to cover all of China proper, and then extended the empire into Central Asia. The dynasty lasted until 1912. In orthodox Chinese historiography, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the Ming dynasty and succeeded by the Republic of China. The multiethnic Qing empire lasted for almost three centuries and assembled the territorial base for modern China. It was the largest Chinese dynasty and in 1790 the fourth largest empire in world history in terms of territorial size. With a population of 432 million in 1912, it was the world's most populous country at the time. Qing Dynasty decorative arts, many craftsmen worked in the imperial court, producing artifacts for palace use: everything from items of jewelry art to beautiful Chinese lacquerware, including lacquered imperial thrones: see, for instance, the Qing Dynasty Imperial Throne (1775-80, Victoria and Albert Museum, London). The Imperial Household Department managed a number of crafts workshops both within the Forbidden City and outside it. Some of the skilled workers and master craftsmen were on permanent duty, like those in the imperial glass factory established in 1696 under the direction of the German Jesuit Kilian Stumpf (1655-1720). Other experts in gemstones carving, horn and jade sculpture and metallurgy were summoned to Beijing for a specific period of service. Provenance: A private collection in New York city, A private collection in Palm Beach Florida USA. Literature: Chinese Jade From The Collection Of Alan & Simone Hartman, Robert Kleiner, Pressroom, Hong Kong 1996, Pp-63. Jade, Ch'ing Dynastu Treasures, National Museum Of History, exhibition at Taiwan, several authors, 1998 pp-100-104. for similar examples. Collateral: This piece is accompanied by the GIA laboratory report number, 5212505796 stating the hardstone is a natural and translucent white nephrite jade...

Chinese 19th C Carved Soapstone Figure Group, Circa 1900 This intricately carved Chinese soapstone figure group depicts four storks amongst a rocky foreground with large twisted and...

This frog is in jade, spinach jade stone. Made in china during the 20th century. This is in a dark green color.

Incredibly detailed carved Jade Horse with Pony. Sculpture mounted on carved wood base specific to the piece. Dimensions: 6.25W x 2.25D x 4H.

Beautiful variegated jade carvings of birds/ducks. There elegantly carved presence creates the illusion they are actually floating. Dimensions: 4.5 W x 1.5 D x 3.75 H.

This is an antique miniature falcon. A Japanese, jade Hayabusa figurine, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Charmingly diminutive with appealing appearance Displays...

This fine antique Edwardian model of a spaniel is cast and hand chased with particularly fine quality craftsmanship to give a wonderful lifelike and characterful finish. It is mounted on a nephrite jade base...

A Chinese hand carved victory sculpture depicts lion resting against shield, 20th century Measures - 3.5''H x 6.25''W x 2.5''D.

Vintage Chinese icy translucent carved jade Moth butterfly pendant necklace On silk cord with four beads Endless knot and Two tassels. Pendant size, 3"- x 2 7/16"- in.(7.7 x 5...

Rock crystal and amethyst Geode sculpture of a carved parrot bird with jade. Very nice sculpture carving of a rock crystal bird with jade eyes, sittin...

A fantastic pair of multi-semi precious stone and gold mounted Models of Scarlet Macaw Parrots, Attributed to Peter Müller, Swiss. This regal pair of Scarlet Macaws are each perched ...

These are a pair of carved russet jade bird and jade parrot sculptures. They are standing up in some branches. The whole jade sculpture is standing over a ...