Description:

East Asia, China, upper Yellow River region of Gansu and eastern Qinghai, Neolithic Period, Qijia culture, ca. 2200 to 1600 BCE. A stunning ritual funerary cong, hand-sculpted from nephrite jade to boast a form of geometric simplicity evocative of contemporary minimalism. Showcasing natural mottled hues of sage, olive, slate, and white, the rectangular funerary implement features a cylindrical interior cavity with a thick rim as well as sharp edges along the exterior. This ancient cong was formed through meticulous carving and smoothing process using awls, drills, and abrasives of varying fineness, and boasts an incredibly smooth surface which is pleasing to the touch. Stone items like this one formed part of the decoration of these tombs and seem to have been reserved for the most elite people in society, and clearly had great significance, but the meaning and purpose of congs remains a mystery. Size: 1.9" L x 1.8" W x 3.8" H (4.8 cm x 4.6 cm x 9.7 cm)

The funerary function of congs probably had a religious connotation. Some scholars of Chinese Neolithic history and anthropology posit that the cong is "based on the ancient Chinese notion that earth was square and heaven round, while the hole in the object represents the passage connecting heaven and earth." (Weichao, Yu. "A Journey into China's Antiquity - Volume 1: Palaeolithic Age - Spring and Autumn Period." National Museum of Chinese History, Beijing, China, 1997, p. 80)

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Arts Du Monde, New York, New York, USA, before 2000

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#183711

  • Condition: A few miniscule nicks to rim, but otherwise intact and in excellent overall condition with smooth surfaces throughout.

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February 9, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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