Ca. 1368-1644 AD. Chinese Ming Dynasty. A beautifully crafted pair of ochre-coloured glazed terracotta ceramic rams. The wool of the two rams is detailed by a series of elliptical impressions meant to imitate the curls in natural wool, whilst the horns are gently spiralled and coloured green. The facial features including the eyes, nostrils and mouth are carefully, if shallowly molded. The cloven hooves are similarly detailed and coloured with black pigment. The sheep or ram is the eighth of the twelve animals in a zodiac cycle and is regarded as an auspicious animal which is peace-loving, kind, helpful, and trusting, but of a nature resistant to change. Excellent condition.Size: L:Set of 2; 140mm / W:110mm ; 695g; Provenance: From an old Oxford collection formed in the 1990s.