Yellow jade ‘Deer and bird’ figurine, Zhou dynasty

A soft yellow jade sculpture with ochre veins and areas of surface patina. It depicts a deer lying down with its front legs extended and its hind legs folded, in a relaxed attitude. A bird with a simplified morphology rests on its back, its head facing the deer's face. The deer has a stylised body with curved incisions that mark anatomical and ornamental details, and its antlers are sculpted in open, spiral forms, which add dynamism to the figure. The bird, with its schematic lines, reinforces the symbolic character of the piece, evoking meanings of peace, harmony and good omens. The jade is smoothly polished with a natural ageing patina. Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC) or later.

Size: 8 x 2.5 x 13 cm

Weight: 212 g

Provenance:

- Collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, from 1980