This and two other Chinese Ming Dynasty Jades
All from the estate of the famous Joseph Dunninger, purchased near 35 years ago through his surviving wife of Cliff Side Park near Ft. Lee, N.J. These and nearly one thousand other great things were gotten by this consignor over nearly a ten year span. Much written about this amazing man, many other things not widely known, as how truly great he was as a lifelong collector, or, the fact that his best friend was Harry Houdini and he inherited much of his stuff. This particular early jade is of the Ming era, circa 16th century, perhaps a bit earlier. Of native nephrite jade, this feline is plainly scared, she flattens herself into the ground, ears alert, tail bushed up, her eyes betray her fear, quizzically bugged out, ..as if, "what's next". The artist knows cats and carves a lovely pendant, the carved hole between its front paws.
Of a bluish gray lard color with dark brown/black surface inclusions. Nice smooth wear, fine condition, 2.25" long.