Chinese Bronze Paperweight Ming Dynasty 17th Century Scroll Weight Scholar's Object Sculpture

A rare Chinese bronze paperweight or scroll weight in the form of a dog with puppy.
Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

The relatively heavy miniature sculpture well cast in recumbent position with a puppy underneath, its head positioned upwards as if sniffing or licking. The curved spine ending in a swirling tail interlocking with the puppies tail, creating a sense of maternal connection and on a higher level most likely conveying the symbol taiji. 

Taiji is a simplified form of taijitu, a structured schematic diagram as a representation of Chinese cosmology. This simplified form was designed in the Ming dynasty by Lai Zhide (1525-1604) and laid the foundation for the Yin and Yang symbol.

Sculptures like this example were used to weigh down papers in the scholar’s studio.

Condition:
Very good with some small traces of gilding and a nice dark patina.

Length 7.2 cm.

Ref:
A similar scroll weight was auctioned at Sotheby’s London, Important Chinese Art sale, 10 May 2017, lot no. 264, hammer price GBP 5250.

Lit:
Robert Mowry discusses such Ming dynasty paperweights in ‘China’s Renaissance in Bronze - The Robert H. Clague Collection of Later Chinese bronzes 1100-1900’, p. 200-02, 

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Code: A00526