Lot 1511. A marble carving of a rabbit on a lotus base, Tang dynasty (AD 618-907); 5 3/8 in. (13.8 cm) high. Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Price realised USD 30,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013

The rabbit is carved in a recumbent position, with legs tucked under the body and ears laid back, resting on a domed base carved around the sides with lotus petals, all above a plain square plinth.

Provenance: Acquired in New York, before 1990. 

Note: Small Tang-dynasty marble carvings of hares all tend to share similar crouching positions, with the long ears drawn backwards, the head resting on the front paws and similar deep-set, oval eyes. The present example is raised on a lotus base and additional plinth and would have most likely been used as a weight. It is pierced beneath the body for the insertion of a cord to facilitate lifting. Other examples exhibit the hare on plain, flat bases. One such figure, from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bull, was sold at Sotheby's New York, 6 December 1983, lot 252. Another was sold at Sotheby's London, 13 December 1988, lot 20.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 19 - 20 September 2013