Lot 54A
East Asia, China, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period, ca. 475 to 221 BCE. An exceptional nephrite jade pendant in the form of a powerful beast with an undulating silhouette defined with crisp edges. The mythical animal presents a long horn issuing along the contours and ending in an up curled tip, while the strong body is adorned with spiraling bosses ending in a scrolling whisp of a tail. The beast presents at once dragon-like, rhino-like, and tiger-like with a horn rendered on the forehead and a snout that ends in an arc-shaped tip. The strong silhouette is marked by shallow relief bands that surround the subtly swelling surface of each side. A stunning example of late Eastern Zhou openwork jade that illustrates a level of creativity and technical achievement that was unequaled before or since. Size: 3.7" W x 1.6" H (9.4 cm x 4.1 cm)
Pendants like this example are generally referred to as "tiger plaques". Jade hu (tigers) are frequently mentioned in classical texts such as the Zhou li [The rites of Zhou], and the tiger seems indeed one of the most commonly depicted animals. Tiger pendants are known at least since the Shang period (16th century 1045 BC) and are very common in the Eastern Zhou. The term "tiger" appears, however, to have been retained for these animal pendants, even when the tiger form was replaced by sinuous dragons, as is suggested by the appearance of the character hu ("tiger") inscribed on dragon-shaped pendants. A "tiger pendant" could therefore apparently have various shapes.
Although buried together with the deceased, such valuable pectorals are considered to represent personal belongings, which the deceased would have worn in his lifetime, rather than tomb goods. The tinkling sound of the jade pendants of a ruler and other persons of high rank, when walking jade being reserved for the highest echelons of society - is often remarked upon in classical texts. This plaque masterfully conveys the power, strength and energy of the animal it depicts and at the same time is so subtly embellished that it is simply a work of beauty.
Cf. Harvard Art Museums (1943.50.469.A), Cleveland Art Museum (1991.78), and Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, Freer Gallery of Art (F1932.44).
A similar though larger (8.625 inches long) jade plaque hammered 26,575,000 HKD (equivalent to $3,385,655 at the time) at Sotheby's Hong Kong on April 3rd, 2019 (lot 3620, "Important Chinese Art").
Provenance: private New Orleans, Louisiana, USA collection, acquired 1990s; ex-World Art & Antiquities Gallery
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#189168
- Condition: Chip to elbow of front limb on one side and a few miniscule surface nicks commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressively preserved detail. Light earthen deposits in recessed areas.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
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| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |