† A FINELY CARVED CARNELIAN AGATE FIGURE OF A RABBIT, HAN DYNASTY

拍品描述

† A FINELY CARVED CARNELIAN AGATE FIGURE OF A RABBIT, HAN DYNASTY China, 206 BC-220 AD. Exquisitely carved as a recumbent rabbit, its compact body resting on tucked legs, the head gently lowered, with subtly delineated ears and paws, circular eyes, a broad snout, and finely incised whiskers. The exceptionally attractive stone displays a natural interplay of deep burgundy and iron-red, brilliant vermilion, and warm amber tones, dramatically contrasting with a large translucent crystalline section across the body. Most remarkably, the carver has skillfully exploited these naturally occurring variations in color and texture to articulate the animal’s form: the rich red markings accentuate the head, haunches, and extremities, while the crystalline center lends depth and luminosity to the body. Expert’s note: The appeal of the present rabbit lies in the dialogue between the natural structure of the stone and the sculptor’s conception of the animal. Rather than merely accommodating the material, the carver deliberately incorporated its color transitions into the composition. The darker passages define the head, paws, and powerful curve of the hindquarters, while the crystalline body appears almost luminous from within. The result is particularly striking when viewed in the round, as the changing colors continually reinforce the compact, crouching form of the animal. Such an assured exploitation of an inherently unpredictable material reveals both an intimate understanding of the stone and an exceptional degree of artistic foresight. Dimensions: Length 5.2 cm With a padded storage box inscribed in Chinese, ‘Han, red agate rabbit, no. 8’. Depictions of hares or rabbits in Chinese art are frequent. They are associated with the moon where according to legend they pounded the elixir of immortality. The significance of the hare and its association with immortality is suggested by a later Liao dynasty text, The Liaoshi, which refers to the prohibition against hunting hare, see Zhu Tianshu, Liao dai jingyinqi. Gold and Silver of the Liao Period, Beijing, 1998, p. 33. Literature comparison: Compare a related agate scabbard slide carved from a similar stone, 9.3 cm long, dated mid- to late Western Han dynasty, 140 BC-8 AD, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, object number 購玉000236N000000000. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 May 2018, lot 3089 Estimate: HKD 300,000 or approx. EUR 38,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the related stone, manner of carving, animal subject with similar pose, and size (6 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 1 May 2025, lot 2047 Price: HKD 281,600 or approx. EUR 31,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, modeling, and size (5.2 cm). Note the different stone. 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.

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