Late Neolithic to Shang–Zhou Period Calcified “Chicken-Bone White” Jade Cicada Pendant

拍品描述

Dimensions: L. 5.8 cm (approx. 2.28 in / 0.19 ft); W. 2.3 cm (approx. 0.91 in / 0.08 ft); weight 45 g (approx. 1.59 oz); approximately 3000–771 BCE, 30th–8th century BCE，Condition & Provenance: Overall intact condition. The calcified “chicken-bone white” jade displays a creamy ivory-white surface with naturally distributed ochre-brown deposits, scattered dark mineral accretions, fine surface markings, localized wear, and evidence of age. The incised decoration on the head, raised abdominal divisions, and lateral suspension perforation remain clearly defined. Provenance: Private Collection, New York, USA.Description: This archaic cicada pendant, dating from the Late Neolithic through the Shang–Zhou period, is carved from heavily calcified “chicken-bone white” jade with a warm ivory-toned surface. Ochre-brown deposits and scattered darker mineral accretions extend naturally across the body, while fine interconnected surface markings and areas of wear give the piece a distinctly aged appearance. Sculpted in the round from a single piece of jade, the cicada has a compact, gently arched body with substantial volume and smoothly rounded contours. One end terminates in a broad, flattened head, while the opposite end gradually rounds into the abdomen. Several short raised divisions along the underside suggest the segmented structure of the insect while preserving the highly simplified character of the overall form. A transverse circular perforation positioned immediately behind the head provides a practical suspension point and identifies the carving as a wearable ornament. The flat face of the head carries the principal decoration: shallow incised lines define an abstract cicada mask, with vertical and diagonal strokes at the crown, sweeping lines outlining the eyes, and crosshatched geometric motifs along the lower edge. Darker deposits remain visible within portions of these recessed lines, emphasizing the graphic quality of the carving. The combination of substantial rounded mass, restrained ornament, and highly abstracted insect imagery gives the pendant the powerful visual economy associated with early Chinese jade carving. Cicadas held enduring symbolic importance in early China and later became closely associated with transformation, renewal, immortality, and funerary practice. This compact carving therefore combines the function of a suspension ornament with the broader symbolic language of early Chinese jade culture.

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