A SMALL WHITE JADE CARVING OF A HORSE AND A CELADON AND RUSSET JADE CARVING OF A HORSE
Qing Dynasty
The white jade pebble expertly carved as a recumbent horse, with the head turned to its right to nibble at the hoof of the left hind leg, with the tail extending beneath the body, adorned with almond-shaped eyes, finely incised mane and delineated ribs. 5cm (2in) long; the other horse, 17th century, with the head turned sharply backward and with left fore leg in a rising motion, the other legs tucked to the side of the body, featured with finely incised mane, the stone of greyish green tone with russet patches and striations. 6cm (2 3/5in) long. (2).
Footnotes:
清 白玉臥馬 及青玉褐斑臥馬 一組兩件

While the motif of horse nibbling its hoof is a popular feature of the Ming dynasty, the carving technique and the immaculate white jade used in the present lot suggest strongly a Qianlong date. See a related white jade carving of a horse, Qianlong, illustrated in Chinese Jade Animals, Hong Kong, 1996, p.182, pl.175.

Compare the white jade carving of a horse with a related one, Qianlong, which was sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 27 November 2018, lot 135. Compare the celadon and russet jade carving of a horse with a related celadon jade recumbent horse, 17th century, which was sold at Christie's London, 12 November 2004, lot 37.

The smaller horse in good condition; the larger horse with some surface wear and nicks to the extremities, and probably some old polished shallow chips to the extremities.