- 3014
AN EXTREMELY RARE ARCHAIC JADE ORNAMENT, HUANG, POSSIBLY LIANGZHU CULTURE NEOLITHIC PERIOD / SHANG DYNASTY
Estimate
2,000,000 - 3,000,000 HKD
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Description
of crescent form, perforated at both ends, the longer side decorated in low relief with six mythical-animal masks of various sizes, with the central two being the largest, and those at the ends the smallest, four of which face one direction while the remaining two the other, the stone with a smooth surface of a warm celadon-tinged yellow tone streaked with natural toffee-brown inclusions and veining, yellow silk pouch
Condition
There are some original tool marks. The stone has some typical pitting and there is a natural vein running around one end of the jade. The overall condition is otherwise very good. The actual colour is slightly lighter and warmer than the catalogue illustration.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
A huang of this type, but both ends carved with more pronounced dragon heads and both the top and bottom decorated with oval masks, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, is illustrated in Teng Shu-ping, Neolithic Jades in the Collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1992, pl. 22.
Masks with large eyes are common in Liangzhu jades but the eyes on these huang differ in their long, straight and oval pupils rather than the conventional slanting ovoid pupils. The Liangzhu culture (3400-2250 BC) was the last Neolithic jade culture in the Yangtze River Delta of China. The culture was highly stratified, with jade, silk, ivory and lacquer found exclusively in elite burials while pottery was more commonly found in the burial plots of poorer individuals. The jade from this culture is characterised by finely-worked large ritual jades, commonly incised with taotie motifs.
Masks with large eyes are common in Liangzhu jades but the eyes on these huang differ in their long, straight and oval pupils rather than the conventional slanting ovoid pupils. The Liangzhu culture (3400-2250 BC) was the last Neolithic jade culture in the Yangtze River Delta of China. The culture was highly stratified, with jade, silk, ivory and lacquer found exclusively in elite burials while pottery was more commonly found in the burial plots of poorer individuals. The jade from this culture is characterised by finely-worked large ritual jades, commonly incised with taotie motifs.