Carved jade figurine "Drum and tapirs" Warring States Period

White jade with large patches of brown and reddish tonality, strategically carved to give colour to the small animals. It has a large drum with an elliptical profile and flat ends, decorated with a '谷纹' grain pattern and a long archaic dragon. Small tapirs in relief climb over the dragon, adding great dynamism to the piece. The piece is notable for the realism of the figures and the minuteness of the details. It shows wear and patina caused by ageing. Combatant Kingdoms period ( 403 - 222 BC) or later.

Height: 7.4 cm; Diameter: 4.8 cm

Weight: 181 gr

Provenance: Collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, from 1980.-Previous owner of lot: 48, (Imperial white jade "ziqiang buxi" seal, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736 - 1795)) Auctioned: Important Hong Kong Collection, Tommy Lam - Asian Art. 25 October 2023. Darley Auctions.