A PAIR OF JADE 'BIRD' PENDANTS WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY

each carved as a stylised bird with incised plumage, pierced for suspension, the stone of celadon tone with light caramel inclusions 

Both in good overall condition. One pendant has some minor surface bumpiness on the thin edge caused by the light caramel inclusion. Some expected polished down corners and edges and tiny pits to the surface.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Birds with long, downward-turning tails, embellished with incised lines and a crest became widespread in the Western Zhou period, and the elongated form of the present pair make it a particularly fine and elegant example. It is interesting to note that during this time, the angle of the bird's tail was altered so that it lay horizontal thus making it closely resemble a fish's tail.

Compare related examples in the British Museum, London, illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1994, pls 12:29-12:30, and p. 227, fig. 1; another in the Piao-te-hsuan collection, included in the Collector's Exhibition of Archaic Chinese Jades, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1995, cat. no. 28; and a shorter version in the Seattle Art Museum, published in Chinese Jades from the Collection of the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, 1989, pl. 12. A carving of this type was sold in our New York rooms, 6^th December 1989, lot 3; another example was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 10^th June 1979, lot 1064; and a third was sold at Christie's New York, 24^th March 2004, lot 97.