Northeast China, Hongshan culture, Neolithic Period, ca. 3800 to 2700 BCE. A beautiful green stone jade or jadeite pendant carved in the shape of a head whose neck curves around a central round hole; the rest of the pendant is a square, round-edged thin slab. The back of the neck is pierced for suspension. The head itself is stylized, resembling either a skull or possibly a snake, carved in a way that suggests it was meant to be viewed in profile, and may have been sewn onto clothing. For many years, scholars believed that Chinese civilization began in the Yellow River valley, but now we know that there were actually earlier cultures both north and south of this region. The Hongshan culture, comprised of a group of Neolithic peoples who lived in the far north-east, in what is modern-day Liaoning province and Inner Mongolia, created a sophisticated society and erected elaborate ceremonial sites that oftentimes included valuable works like this carved piece of jade. Size: 1.6" W x 2.75" H (4.1 cm x 7 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private LA County collection

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