Late Shang to Early Western Zhou Dynasty (circa 13th–10th century BCE) Turquoise Taotie Mask Pendant

拍品描述

Dimensions: Length 6.8 cm (2.7 in.), Height 4.7 cm (1.9 in.), Weight 24 g, 13th–10th Century BCE，Condition & Provenance: The piece is in good condition, with its original surface preserved. Natural mineral texture, ancient earth encrustation, and aged patina remain throughout the surface, displaying warm brownish-yellow areas of natural coloration developed over centuries. Provenance: Private Collection, Illinois, USA.Description: This ancient turquoise pendant is finely carved in the form of a stylized animal mask and represents the distinctive artistic language of early Chinese ritual ornaments. Crafted from natural turquoise, the flattened silhouette expands gracefully on both sides, creating a powerful yet elegant archaic profile.The front is carved using a raised relief technique to create a symmetrical animal mask design. The large rounded eyes, clearly defined contours, restrained nose bridge, and cloud-scroll shaped mouth motifs demonstrate the simplified yet expressive aesthetic of early Chinese jade and stone carving. A suspension hole is drilled at the lower center, indicating its original function as a wearable ornament, while the reverse remains plain and preserves the natural surface of the material.The entire surface displays rich traces of burial exposure, with naturally formed brown and yellow mineral staining, layered coloration, and a mature ancient patina. Combining rare turquoise material with an early ritual design, this Shang–Zhou period pendant represents an important category of ancient Chinese personal ornaments highly valued by collectors.

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