- 304
A PARTLY CALCIFIED GREENISH-WHITE JADE SCABBARD SLIDE, WEI EASTERN HAN DYNASTY
Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 HKD
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Description
- jade
carved to the top in high relief with a large sinuous chihulong accompanied by its young clambering on the edge, the stone of a pale celadon colour with calcified areas
Condition
There are minor bruises and nicks along the edges, as consistent with age. There are also expected areas of calcification. The scabbard slide is otherwise in overall good condition.
"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
This white jade object is lustrous in its quality and in part marked by chicken-bone white calcification. It has a smooth polish and the lustre of glass. A crouching hornless chihulong design is carved in high relief twists and turns on the slide surface, the details of the mythical beast is engraved in intaglio to concise and smooth effect. A little hornless chihulong squirms out from the left side of the slide, directly facing the other hornless beast. This typical style of paired hornless chihulong was popular during the Eastern Han. Both projecting edges are bent slightly downward, and at bottom the slide is suffused with brown colour.
According to Xu Shen’s Shuowen jiezi [Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters], “A scabbard slide is the jade piece at the nose of the scabbard”. “Nose of the scabbard” refers to the hollow part on the sword sheath through which a hanging band runs, so “jade scabbard slide” refers to the jade fastener attached to the scabbard. Such a way to suspend swords with jade scabbard slides was very popular during the Eastern Zhou and Western and Eastern Han.
According to Xu Shen’s Shuowen jiezi [Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters], “A scabbard slide is the jade piece at the nose of the scabbard”. “Nose of the scabbard” refers to the hollow part on the sword sheath through which a hanging band runs, so “jade scabbard slide” refers to the jade fastener attached to the scabbard. Such a way to suspend swords with jade scabbard slides was very popular during the Eastern Zhou and Western and Eastern Han.