Neolithic Hongshan Culture River-Polished Jade Kneeling Shamanic Figure, circa 4700–2900 BCE

拍品描述

Dimensions: Height 6.7 cm (2.64 in / 0.22 ft); Width 3.1 cm (1.22 in / 0.10 ft); Late Neolithic Period, 5th–3rd Millennium BCE，Weight: 66.5 grams (2.35 oz)，Condition & Provenance: The river-polished jade figure is preserved intact overall, with no apparent breaks, major losses, or restoration. Carved from naturally yellow-green river-polished jade, the stone has a dense, softly lustrous texture with scattered light-brown earthy coloration and subtle natural fissures. The surface variations follow the structure of the stone and blend gradually into the jade. The figure is conceived in a compact kneeling posture. A tall headdress composed of multiple scrolling or spiral elements rises above the head, while restrained incised lines define the eyes, nose, and mouth. Both arms curve inward across the abdomen, and parallel incisions across the chest and torso provide additional decorative detail. The legs are bent beneath the body in a formal kneeling position. Extensive abrasive working has softened the contours, producing full, rounded surfaces with few sharp transitions. A suspension perforation at the upper back and shoulder area retains visible rotational and abrasive-working traces. The surface displays an aged, mellow patina together with localized earthy deposits and natural variations associated with the stone. Provenance: Private Collection, Switzerland. Acquired during the 1990s and retained overseas for more than thirty years.Description: This compact kneeling figure is carved in the round from a single piece of naturally yellow-green river-polished jade and presents one of the most intriguing categories of anthropomorphic imagery associated with prehistoric Chinese jade traditions. At 6.7 cm in height and weighing 66.5 grams, the sculpture is remarkably substantial for its scale, giving the figure a dense, almost monumental presence when held in the hand. The stone itself contributes significantly to the object's visual appeal. Its underlying yellow-green coloration ranges from warm olive to softer celadon tones, while isolated light-brown and earthy areas provide subtle contrast. The surface has been extensively ground and polished, resulting in the mellow, tactile finish that gives early hardstone sculpture much of its distinctive character. The figure is represented in a formal kneeling posture, with the legs folded beneath the body and the arms drawn inward across the abdomen. Rather than pursuing anatomical realism, the sculptor reduces the human form to a sequence of broad, rounded masses. The shoulders, arms, torso, and bent legs flow naturally into one another, creating a compact silhouette with a strong sense of symmetry and ritual stillness. The head is the most visually commanding element. Rising above it is an elaborate headdress composed of multiple curling or spiral-like projections. This prominent crown gives the figure an unmistakably ceremonial appearance and distinguishes it from more ordinary representations of the human form. Facial features are treated with deliberate restraint: shallow incised lines indicate the eyes and other features without disturbing the broad polished planes of the face. Parallel linear decoration across the chest and abdomen introduces additional texture and may be read as stylized costume, bodily ornament, or ceremonial markings. The carving is economical but highly effective, relying on silhouette and posture rather than elaborate surface decoration. A perforation positioned at the upper back would have permitted the figure to be suspended or incorporated into a larger assemblage. The interior of the opening retains evidence of rotational drilling and abrasive finishing, while the surrounding surfaces have been carefully smoothed. Its presence indicates that the sculpture was conceived not simply as a freestanding miniature but as an object intended for handling, suspension, or ceremonial display. Anthropomorphic jade figures associated with prehistoric northern China have often been discussed in relation to ritual specialists, ancestors, supernatural beings, and the broader ceremonial world reflected in elite burial assemblages. The combination of a formal kneeling posture, prominent headdress, carefully positioned arms, and suspension system gives this example a particularly strong ritual character. The identification of such figures specifically as shamans remains interpretive, but their unusual iconography clearly sets them apart from ordinary human representations. Particularly compelling is the balance between the figure's small scale and its sculptural authority. The tall headdress draws the eye upward, while the tightly folded body creates a stable base below. Smoothly polished surfaces contrast with restrained incised details, and the natural yellow-green coloration of the river-polished jade gives the figure warmth and visual depth. With its substantial weight, compact kneeling posture, elaborate headdress, carefully integrated suspension hole, and mellow natural stone surface, this jade figure presents a powerful example of the abstract yet expressive approach to human imagery found in prehistoric Chinese jade carving and would make a distinctive study piece within a collection devoted to Hongshan material culture and early Chinese ritual art.

图片