The lot is sensuously modelled in the form of two recumbent rams with one young beside, each detailed with almond-shaped eyes, funnel-shaped ears and a pair of striated horns, the larger, bearded animals with their heads turned gently backwards, the stone dark at one end shading to a natural white color. The ram has a long history in China, first appearing on Shang ritual bronzes and in the form of bronze lamps and ceramic tomb figures during the Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). Small jade carvings of three reclining rams were popular from the Song dynasty onwards, as the theme of three rams, sanyang, was considered particularly auspicious, evoking the expression sanyangkaitai ( 'the awakening of nature in spring' ) which signified good luck and happiness.
The lot is sensuously modelled in the form of two recumbent rams with one young beside, each detailed with almond-shaped eyes, funnel-shaped ears and a pair of striated horns, the larger, bearded animals with their heads turned gently backwards, the stone dark at one end shading to a natural white color. The ram has a long history in China, first appearing on Shang ritual bronzes and in the form of bronze lamps and ceramic tomb figures during the Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). Small jade carvings of three reclining rams were popular from the Song dynasty onwards, as the theme of three rams, sanyang, was considered particularly auspicious, evoking the expression sanyangkaitai ( 'the awakening of nature in spring' ) which signified good luck and happiness.