Lot 65
East Asia, China, Shang Dynasty, ca. 1558 to 1046 BCE. A fabulous nephrite jade carving, possibly serving as a zan, an ancestor tablet, a pendant, or a finial, displaying a lengthy body that terminates at a point on one end and a drill hole, possibly for suspension at the other. Boasting natural hues of forest green, olivine, and sage, the elongated body is sculpted on both sides with a relief, repeated "V" motif, resembling feathers or petals. Some researchers belief this to be a zan, which was used in conjunction with archaic bronze gu during rituals, where it was used to stir heated wine, allowing the aroma of the wine to be released. Size: 8.3" L x 0.7" W (21.1 cm x 1.8 cm)
According to the Ashmolean: "Carvings in jade and other hard stones are the finest objects that survive from Neolithic China. Most are ceremonial pieces made in the forms of metal knives. Jade was worked with abrasives and the process was slow and labour-intensive, making the items valuable. Later in the Shang and Zhou dynasties, many personal ornaments were carved in jade in imitation of the motifs on bronze vessels, and were sometimes assembled into many-tiered necklaces and girdles for burial."
Cf. Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art (F1939.31, S2012.9.292, S2012.9.290, and S1987.838), Ashmolean (EA1956.1649), and British Museum (1945,1017.75).
Provenance: private Brighton, Massachusetts, USA collection, acquired in China in August 1989
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#189975
-
Condition:
- Some light surface wear, commensurate with age, but otherwise, intact and excellent with nicely preserved detail.
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