Qing dynasty, Qianlong periodThe pebble cleverly cut to show the hawk with one out-stretched wing wrapping around the side of the bear which nestles up against the standing hawk, the pebble skin visible primarily to the reverse side, the wing and tail feathers of the hawk all neatly delineated and softly polished. 2 1/2in (6.3cm) high,转到 Chinese Works of Art Go
注脚:清乾隆 白玉熊鷹把件The subject of this masterful little carving is that of an eagle, ying, and a bear, Xiong, in combination they form the rebus for 'hero', yingxiong. This was a standard image used to evoke ideas of courage, loyalty and achievement, qualities perceived as inherent in a hero. This fondling piece would have been highly appropriate as a gift to someone in the military. The subject here is treated in such a way that depending on which way the piece is handled, the bird or the bear appears to have the upper hand in the tight embrace. For another white nephrite piece of the same subject, see Therese Tse Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 2006,p. 126, no. 5.30.2. For the same subject on a snuff bottle, see Michael C. Hughes, The Blair Bequest: Chinese Snuff Bottles from the Princeton University Art Museum, Baltimore, 2002, p. 74, no. 62.