An attractive Chinese Sancai-glazed model of a ram, its four limbs tucked underneath its body and a horned head looking straight ahead in alert position, with vibrant mottled green, ochre and brown glazes, the ram approximately 12.8cm long x 6cm high, wood standProvenance: From the collection of the late Jean Jardine Johnstone Keswick (1885-1977) and by family descent. Jean Keswick lived in Hong Kong as far back as the 19th century, and was part of the business dynasty of Scottish origin associated with the Far East region since 1855, and in particular the conglomerate Jardine Matheson.The ram (yang) was an important animal in ancient China, especially to the nomads to whom it provided both wool and meat. It is also one of the twelve animals of the Chinese lunar calendar. Its homophone 'yang' is very auspicious, referring to both the sun and the masculine or positive principle in nature (yin/yang), hence the ram came to represent both meanings. 三彩羊拍品来源：英国Jean Jardine Johnstone Keswick (1885-1977) 家族私人收藏，其曾于晚清时居于香港