A JADE 'DRAGON' ORNAMENT, XI ZHOU – HAN DYNASTY |

of flat tapering crescent form, crisply worked and reticulated with the broad end terminating in a horned dragon head, incised to either side with scrollwork simulating the haunches and claws, the stone of an opaque milky-beige colour with grey inclusions

Acquired in the 1970s.

There is possibly minor retouching to the tip at the upper edge of the tail. The ornament is otherwise in good overall 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."

Xi such as the present one are believed to have been used for untangling knots and came to represent the untangling of disagreements between children and their parents. A related xi, incised with a design of interlacing hydras, attributed to the Warring States period, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is published in Gugong bowuyuan cangpin daxi: yuqi bian [Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade], vol. 3: Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period, Beijing, 2011, pl. 206. Xi of this arched form, but of much simpler design, include one attributed to the late Zhou dynasty in the Harvard Art Museums, illustrated in Max Loehr, Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1975, pl. 500; and another attributed to the Eastern Zhou dynasty, from the collection of Stephen Junkunc III, sold in our New York rooms, 19th March 2019, lot 101.