† A CELADON AND RUSSET JADE ‘BEAR’ PENDANT, SONG... Lot n° 160

† A CELADON AND RUSSET JADE ‘BEAR’ PENDANT, SONG DYNASTY China, 960-1279. Finely sculpted as a bear resting on its hind-legs, the left hand scratching its ear, the right arm resting on the knee, the face with a vivid expression, mouth ajar revealing sharp fangs, incised with circular eyes below bushy eyebrows and a wide snout. The body pierced vertically for suspension. The semi-translucent stone of a pale celadon tone with large areas of russet interspersed with pale gray inclusions and russet veins. Provenance: U.S. collection. The stand with an inscribed label. The authentication of this piece was conducted by Senior Fellow Gu Fang of the Institute of Archeology Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) on 23 July 2013, number 9382, described as ‘Jade bear’, dated to the Song dynasty, signed by Gu Fang, and notarized by Notary Noreen J. Lowery, New York. Gu Fang, born 1962 in Beijing, graduated from the Department of Archeology of the prestigious Beijing University in 1986. He later studied at the CASS where he is now working as a Senior Fellow specializing in Archeological excavations and research on Chinese Jades. Gu Fang authored several books on Chinese jades including 15 volumes on ‘The Complete Collection of Jades Unearthed in China’, one of the largest collections of Chinese jades to date. Condition: Very good condition with old wear, a small chip to one foot, minor soil encrustations, few nicks, and light scratches. External Expert Authentication: A copy of the authentication report from Senior Fellow Gu Fang of the Institute of Archeology Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) accompanies this lot and will be transmitted to the winning bidder. Weight: 147.4 g Dimensions: Height 5.8 cm Mounted to a modern metal stand. (2) Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 May 2018, lot 3087 Price: HKD 1,000,000 or approx. EUR 131,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A white jade carving of a bear, Eastern Han dynasty (25-220) Expert remark: Compare the related motif and pose. Note the smaller size (4 cm). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.