Lot 125
**First Time At Auction**
China, late Neolithic, Liangzhu period to Shang Dynasty, ca. 2500 to 1046 BCE. A stunning ritual item known as a "cong" that is hand-carved from a greenstone. The rectangular form features layered, relatively angular edges incised with delicate linear and spiraling motifs, and the circular main body features a wide central hole that was drilled inwards from both sides. The asymmetrical drill markings can still be seen within the body to show exactly how this cong was formed. The meticulous carving process has also created incredibly smooth surfaces across the entirety of the artifact. 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 meaning and purpose of congs remains a mystery. Size: 4.25" Diameter x 5.75" H (10.8 cm x 14.6 cm)
During the Shang dynasty, members of the royalty were accompanied in the afterlife by their bronzes, ceramics, weapons, amulets, and stone carvings such as this cong. The funerary function of congs like this example 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)
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Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Arts Du Monde, New York, New York, USA, acquired before 2000
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#176267
- Condition: Several chips and nicks to surface, otherwise intact and excellent condition.
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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 |