A PALE GREEN AND RUSSET JADE CARVING OF THREE RAMS 'SANYANG' Ming Dynasty The pebble smoothly carved as a large recumbent ram with curling horns and two lambs nestled on either side, the legs and hooves crisply carved tucked beneath the bodies, the stone of pale green tone with dark brown patches. 7cm (2 3/4in) wide. Footnotes: 明 青玉雕三羊開泰擺件 Provenance: Bill Spiers Trudy and John Cohen, collection no.H31 來源：Bill Spiers Trudy及John Cohen伉儷，收藏編號H31 The motif of three rams (sanyang kaitai 三羊開泰) is imbued with auspicious meaning in Chinese visual culture. The phrase is a homophonic pun on sanyang kaitai (三陽開泰), derived from the I Ching (Yijing), where it refers to the return of positive yang energy at the beginning of the year, signalling the end of winter and the advent of spring. The image of three rams (yang 羊) visually substitutes for yang (陽), creating a rebus that conveys the same idea: renewal, harmony, and the arrival of good fortune. As such, representations of three rams are traditionally associated with the New Year and convey wishes for prosperity, auspicious beginnings, and official or personal success. Compare with a related white and russet jade 'sanyang' carving, Song/Ming dynasty, which was sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 27 November 2018, lot 103. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing