Lot 143. A rare small jade figure of a bear, Shang dynasty. Height 3 cm, 1 3/16 in. Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000 GBP. Lot sold: 50,400 GBP. Courtesy Sotheby's.

finely carved seated with front paws resting on its knees, the head with large round eyes beneath pricked ears, the stone of pale celadon tone with russet inclusions.

Literature: The Animal in Chinese Art, Oriental Ceramic Society, London, 1968, no. 374, pl.12 B.

Exhibited: Chinese Jades from the Mu-Fei Collection, Bluett & Sons Ltd., London, 1990, cat. no. 6.

Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, 4 November 2020, Hong Kong