East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. late 19th century CE. An ornately carved white jade Foo Dog amulet boasting intricate details - long hair curls, bulging eyes, laid back ears, open mouth as if roaring, and long curled tail - posed as if running, chasing, or about to pounce with its sharp paws. Foo Dogs are sacred fantastical lion-like creatures that have traditionally guarded tombs or been strategically placed before government buildings to scare off evil spirits. Looking beyond this magical iconography, the jade itself is inherently beautiful, with its milky white hue and silky smooth finish. During the Qing Dynasty, while some decorative works declined, jade carving attained a high level of technique as exemplified by this piece. A wonderful example open behind the tail for suspension. Size: 1.9" L x 0.9" H (4.8 cm x 2.3 cm)
This amulet is part of an incredibly long Chinese tradition of creating intricate carvings from jade. Chinese art has incorporated jade since the Neolithic period; quarries for nephrite, the formal name for jade, have been found in modern-day southern Mongolia that date to ca. 4000 BCE. The stone was prized for its hardness, its beautiful coloration (with a milky white being the most desired), and its durability. Jade became associated with immortality, used to make everything from everyday household objects and decoration to the ceremonial suits in which Han dynasty emperors were buried – with the belief that jade would preserve the body and the soul for eternity. By the Qing Dynasty, Chinese jade had become collectible in the Western world, where many people were fascinated by traditional Chinese culture and decorative arts.
Provenance: private collection of the late Karming Wong; approximate date of acquisition: late 1970 to early 1980
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#156137
Condition
Minor nicks to teeth and body, otherwise intact and excellent. Smooth surface textures throughout.