A rare mughal style nephrite jade ram cup, 17th century

A very rare polylobed cup in celadon and russet nephrite jad, the socket in the shape of a ram's head, the underside finely carved in the shape of a musk mallow flower, China, 17th century.

This cup can be compared to moghul style jade cups or teapots with ram's head made in white jade at a somewhat later period under the reign of Qianlong for imperial use.

Certain characteristics clearly identify our cut as belonging to the same style inspired by Mughal jades, namely the work of the cut by lobes, the great finesse and expressiveness of the head of the ram, and finally the foot in the shape of a musk mallow flower (a possible reference to the Palace Bowls of the Chenghua period) of an equally very delicate sculpture contrasting voluntarily with the more massive and raw character of the walls.

The choice of material, a celadon jade pebble with spots and natural veins of russet, however, fits into the Ming aesthetic, at the end of the 17th century or at the beginning of Kangxi's reign.

References: https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2008/splendours-of-the-qing-court-hk0285/lot.2818.html?locale=en; https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2016/emperors-playthings-connoisseurs-collection-hk0641/lot.3015.html?locale=en; https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-an-ibex-headed-carved-jade-cup-north-india-6212032/?from=searchresults&intObjectID=6212032

Provenance: Christie's London sale