A celadon jade pig, Eastern Han dynasty | 東漢 青玉豬握

Ku Ngar Antique Limited, Hong Kong, 10th November 2000

古雅閣，香港，2000年11月10日

Although jade pigs are relatively common in the Han dynasty, there are only very few examples that have achieved such vivid depiction and three-dimensionality. One of the most significant characteristics of the Eastern Han-dynasty jade pigs is the heart-shaped carving to the back end, which is present on this lot. There are three further examples with similar treatment to the back end unearthed in Xi’an, illustrated in Shaanxi Chutu Handai Yuqi [Han Dynasty Jades Unearthed in Shaanxi], Beijing, 2009, pls. 286 - 288. Compare further an Eastern Han-dynasty jade pig sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29th November 2017, lot 2780.

青玉質，圓雕臥豬，用刀簡潔凌厲不失生動，眼耳口鼻四肢皆具，尾有一穿。

漢代流行亦玉盛殮，最高等級貴族以玉衣裝殮，七竅以玉塞住，手中握以玉豬，豬尾穿絲線繫於手腕。兩漢玉豬握雖較為常見，然雕刻生動立體者較少。可比較西安市出土之三件玉豬握，本件與此三件玉豬臀部皆成桃心形，可以視為東漢玉豬之一顯著特征，見《陝西出土漢代玉器》，北京，2009年，圖版286至288。亦可比較佳士得香港售出一隻東漢玉豬握，2017年11月29日，拍品編號2780。