EIGHT SMALL TURQUOISE PENDANTS WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY |

comprising four silkworms, a rabbit and three animal masks, the stone of pale to darker turquoise tone with occasional dark rivering

J.J. Lally & Co., New York

The pendants are in good overall condition with expected surface wear and minor nicks and natural flaws to the stone. There is a crack, possibly stabilised, to the top right corner of the third pendant on the right in the catalogue photo. The pendants are pierced with an aperture.
"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."

It is rare to find turquoise pendants of the Western Zhou dynasty. A turquoise taotie mask excavated at the site of the late Shang or early Western Zhou cemetery in Qianzhang, Tengzhou, Shandong province is illustrated in the catalogue of the special exhibition at the Shenzhen Museum, Yushi zhi hun: Zhongguo she hui ke xue yuan kao gu yan jiu suo fa jue chu tu shang zhou yu qi jing pin [Soul of jade and stone: Selected jades from Shang and Zhou dynasties excavated by the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences], Beijing, 2013, p. 139, where a similarly carved jade pendant to the current rabbit is also illustrated, p. 137.