Back

Lot 193

A VERY RARE AND FINE CHINESE WHITE JADE CARVING OF A FOREIGNER RIDING A HORSE, MING DYNASTY (1368-1644) OR EARLIER
The foreigner is shown wearing a cap and a long-sleeved robe, and sitting astride a horse.

Representations of foreigners in jade are seen as early as the Tang dynasty, such as the seated musician carved on a jade plaque in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, illustrated by Desmond Gure, "Selected Examples from the Jade Exhibition at Stockholm, 1963; A Comparative Study", B.M.F.E.A., vol. 36, 1964, p. 142, pl. 22, fig. 4. Also illustrated and dated Tang, pl. 22, figs. 5a and b, is a small jade figure of a foreigner shown seated as he holds a large jar in his extended hands.

Depictions of foreign figures on horseback are exceptionally rare in jade carvings. For related examples, see a jade carving of a foreigner riding an elephant, Bonhams Hong Kong, 30 May 2017, lot 65; and a foreigner with a dog from the same sale, lot 64. Additionally, for a standing jade figure of a foreigner, see Sotheby's Hong Kong, 28 February 2023, lot 3018; also see Christie's New York, 21 Sep 2023, lot 812.

明或更早 白玉雕「胡人騎乘」像
番人戴帽,著長袍,騎於馬背之上。

玉器中描繪番人形象可追溯至唐代,如斯德哥爾摩遠東古物博物館藏玉珮上坐奏樂番人,見Desmond Gure編《斯德哥爾摩玉器展選例比較研究》,1964年,第36卷,頁142,圖版22,圖4。

騎馬番人玉雕極為罕見,類似器見:2017年5月30日香港邦瀚斯拍賣,第65號(騎象番人);同場第64號(番人與犬);另見2023年2月28日香港蘇富比拍賣,第3018號(站立番人);2023年9月21日紐約佳士得拍賣,第812號。

源流:
W.Y. Thomas Kwok 遺藏,1980年代初購於香港



7.5cm high; 7.5cm wide

Estimate $5,000 - $7,000

Sold for $9,500

Overall in good condition.


CLICK TO SEE DETAIL PHOTOS OF THE WHOLE AUCTION






The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek further information or request additional images during our pre-sale period where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice. Please note condition reports can be amended during the pre-sale period, so we strongly suggest any interested bidders check the published condition report available on the website before the auction commences. Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.


The Estate of W.Y. Thomas Kwok, acquired in Hong Kong in the early 80s.

Born in Macau, Mr. Kwok studied architecture in Melbourne and built a four-decade career with Wong & Ouyang, shaping Hong Kong's skyline. His collecting began with Japanese occupation stamps (1941-1945), issued during Japan's wartime administration of Hong Kong and other territories. Gradually, his passion shifted to jade, inspired by visits to auction houses.

At the time, Hong Kong's auction scene was emerging-Sotheby's debuted in 1973, Christie's in 1986. By the late 1980s, Kwok was attending smaller sales, joining the city's first generation of serious collectors. His jade holdings embody not only technical excellence and cultural symbolism but also the personal evolution of a connoisseur whose interests bridged philately, architecture, and Chinese art heritage.

郭偉仁先生(Kwok, Thomas Wai Yan)1944年出生於澳門,青年時在墨爾本攻讀建築專業並開啟了建築設計的事
業。1984年,Thomas加入香港著名建筑师事务所WONG & OUYANG (HK) LIMITED 王歐陽(香港)有限公司
担任董事,并于1992至1995年间,担任香港注册建筑师委员会主席。在1980年前后,苏富比和佳士得首次进入香
港。郭偉仁先生对于玉器收藏的热情随之得到了滋养,逐渐形成了自己的品味和收藏体系。郭偉仁先生是香港最
早开始收藏的初代收藏家之一。

Important Chinese and Asian Art

AUCTION
Sale: LJ8791
11:00am - 2 November 2025
Hawthorn

VIEWING
Thur 30 Oct - Sat 1 Nov, 10am - 4pm
2 Oxley Rd, Hawthorn VIC

CONTACT
Luke Guan
asianart@leonardjoel.com.au


SIMILAR ITEMS

Lot 84

A RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL CHINESE GILT-BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF PANJARNATE MAHAKALA, MING DYNASTY, YONGLE/XUANDE PERIOD, EARLY 15TH CENTURY

Estimate: $120,000-200,000

Lot 286

A JAPANESE KATANA ATTRIBUTED TO THE AOE SCHOOL, KAMAKURA/NAMBOKUCHO PERIOD, 14TH CENTURY, Unsigned, Designated Important Sword (Juyo...

Estimate: $55,000-85,000

Lot 70

A VERY FINE AND IMPORTANT CHINESE BRONZE TAPIR-FORM VESSEL XIZUN, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD (1736 - 1795)

Estimate: $50,000-70,000

Lot 85

A VERY FINE AND RARE KHASA MALLA KINGDOM GILT BRONZE SEATED AMITAYUS BUDDHA, 14TH/15TH CENTURY

Estimate: $50,000-70,000

To top