Year of the Rabbit. The Rabbit is the fourth of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Rabbit is associated with the Earthly Branch symbol. Reference: Wikipedia
A white and russet jade ‘twin-rabbit’ group 18th century The two animals carved side by side, one with its head raised resting on the other’s back and holding a leafy lingzhi spray in its mouth continuing underneath their bodies, the other with its head lowered, with characteristic elongated heads set with long ears incised at the edges, the legs well-defined underneath, the stone of white tone with russet inclusions cleverly used to denote the fur, box. 5.1cm (2in) wide.
The subject matter of rabbit or hare, associated with making the ‘elixir of life’ for the moon goddess Chang’e, as well as being one of the twelve Zodiac animals, was popular in the Qing Court. The lingzhi fungus of immortality is representative of the wish for long life.
Sold for HK$ 93,750 (£ 9,046) inc. premium at Bonhams in 2018
Woodblock print, Shijo surimono. Rabbit with pestle in front of full moon. Printed signature & seal; poems above.
Culture/period Edo Period term details Date 1801-1850
Reference: © The Trustees of the British Museum
A GREENISH-WHITE AND RUSSET JADE ‘RABBIT’ TOGGLE SONG-MING DYNASTY (960-1644) The rabbit is carved following the countours of the stone in a crouched position with its fore and back legs tucked under the body and the ears laid back. The stone is of an even, pale greenish-white tone with russet striations. 1 5/8 in. (4.2 cm.) long
Sold for GBP 7,500 at Christies in 2018
Chinese. A carved white jade zodiac figure of a rabbit; lg. 3, wd. 1.5 in.
Sold for $250 at Cowan’s Auctions, Inc. in 2019
New Year’s Card: Figures of Rabbit and Other Zodiac Animals Japanese Artist Unknown, Japanese
Reference: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
A WHITE JADE ‘RABBIT’ ZODIAC PLAQUE QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY of flattened circular form, carved to one side with a rabbit surrounded by ruyi-shaped clouds, the reverse with the single character mao, carved and pierced with a large bat with outstretched wings and ruyi-clouds to the top edge for suspension, the well-polished stone of white tone 7.5 cm, 3 in.
Sold for 56,250 GBP at Sothebys in 2016
