Neolithic Hongshan Culture River-Polished Jade Bird Pendant with Natural Russet Burial Staining, circa 4700–2900 BCE

拍品描述

Dimensions: Overall Height 8.7 cm (3.43 in / 0.29 ft); Maximum Width 2.7 cm (1.06 in / 0.09 ft); Neolithic Period, Hongshan Culture，Weight: 20.7 g (approx. 0.73 oz)，Condition & Provenance: The jade bird is preserved intact overall, with no apparent major chips, cracks, losses, or restoration. Carved from river-polished jade, the material displays a softly translucent pale yellow-green body enriched by extensive russet, reddish-brown, and ochre-toned areas concentrated around the head and extending irregularly along the body. Fine spot-like and linear weathering textures are visible across the surface. The head is modeled in rounded relief with prominent circular eyes and a short curved beak, while two symmetrically positioned perforations at the back of the head preserve visible rotational and abrasive working traces. Both faces and edges are smoothly finished with softly rounded transitions, giving the pendant a refined tactile quality. Provenance: Longstanding Private Collection, France. Acquired in 1996 and subsequently retained in the same overseas private collection for approximately thirty years.Description: Elegant in silhouette and highly expressive despite its restrained carving, this elongated jade bird pendant is fashioned from a single piece of river-polished jade. Measuring 8.7 cm in height yet only 2.7 cm across at its widest point, the carving possesses a slender vertical profile that emphasizes the natural grace and abstraction of the avian form. The composition is dominated by the strongly modeled head. Prominent circular eyes frame a compact, gently curved beak, while the remainder of the body extends downward in a long, streamlined profile before narrowing toward the terminal end. Rather than describing individual feathers naturalistically, the carving relies upon broad polished planes, controlled curves, and simplified volumes to convey the essential character of the bird. Two symmetrically positioned perforations behind the head provide a practical means of suspension. Their placement allows the ornament to be worn or attached while leaving the principal frontal carving unobstructed. The interiors of the perforations preserve visible working traces, while the surrounding contours have been carefully smoothed and integrated into the overall form. Particularly attractive is the natural coloration of the jade. The underlying stone ranges from pale yellow-green to muted celadon tones, dramatically contrasted by extensive russet, ochre, and reddish-brown passages. These darker areas are especially concentrated around the head and descend irregularly along the body, creating a naturally painterly effect that accentuates the bird's facial features and elongated silhouette. The carving itself remains deliberately restrained, allowing the material, coloration, and sculptural profile to provide much of the visual interest. Avian imagery occupies an important position within the broader vocabulary of prehistoric Chinese jade. Bird-shaped ornaments associated with Hongshan material culture are generally discussed in relation to personal adornment, ritual practice, burial contexts, and the symbolic relationship between human communities and the natural or spiritual world. Their simplified silhouettes and carefully drilled suspension systems also demonstrate the sophisticated balance between sculptural design and practical function achieved by early jade workers. This example is especially compelling for its unusually elongated proportions, strongly defined head, symmetrical suspension holes, softly polished contours, and dramatic russet coloration. The combination of minimalist carving and richly varied stone gives the pendant a distinctive sculptural character, making it an appealing object for the study and collection of prehistoric Chinese jade and early avian imagery.

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