This object used the first class He Dian white jade from Xin Jiang Province. The material and especially the size makes it rare. The big sheep has nine auspice clouds and two small sheep are sitting beside the big one. The carving is of excellent quality from the reign of Qian Long.

History of the Object

The object is a circular carving of three sheep and was made from white jade from Xin jiang province. According to "I CHING: The Book of Changes": “January on the lunar calendar is the beginning of spring.” It means the daytime will become longer. In Chinese "sheep" has the same pronunciation as "sun". So sheep, kind and not offensive animals, bear a very good and auspicious meaning in Chinese culture. Therefore the carving of sheep means hope for the future. In the Qing Dynasty objects in the form of three sheep had an important auspicious significance.