Han Dynasty Hetian Jade Carved Auspicious Bi Xie Beast Pair,Han Dynasty,2nd Century BC–2nd Century AD

拍品描述

Measurements:Left beast length 3 cm / 1.18 inches, right beast length 3.5 cm / 1.38 inches, total weight 18 grams, Han Dynasty from 2nd Century BC to 2nd Century AD，condition & Provenance:This matched pair of Hetian jade mythical beasts is fully intact with no fractures, penetrating cracks or edge chips. All heads, limbs, wing details and curled tails survive without loss. The jade base is creamy white with natural reddish-brown original burial staining following the stone grain, zero artificial dye or acid fake patina treatment. The whole surface holds smooth ancient polish with soft millennia-old patina formed by underground burial. Openwork and incised carving lines are primitive and fluid, no modern re-carving or grinding repair. The original rough carving marks on the undersides of feet remain untouched with no later modification. This set originates from a veteran antique jade collector based in New York City, and was acquired in 2024 by a private Han jade specialist collection in Chicago, Illinois, continuously preserved inside a temperature-controlled UV-blocking professional storage cabinet.Object Description:This matched pair of fully three-dimensional Hetian jade Bi Xie mythical beasts dates to the Han Dynasty, worn as personal talisman pendants by Han aristocrats to ward off evil, and intact paired sets are extremely rare on the market. Both sculptures are carved from premium white Hetian jade. The left beast is carved in a crouched seated posture, head raised with open mouth, facial features rendered in concise stern lines, paired with soft curved wing carvings across its back and natural russet staining on its tail. The right creeping dragon-style Bi Xie stretches its body with extended swirling wings, natural russet patina spreading across its snout and limbs. Han society deeply revered jade mythical beasts, believing these jade sculptures suppressed evil spirits, protected the wearer and attracted good fortune, making intact matched pairs far more valuable than single pieces. The craftwork merges classic Han slender thread incising and hollow openwork carving techniques, featuring bold, concise lines and fully rounded smooth polish. The jade texture is fine and oily, layered natural russet patina entirely unaltered by modern treatment. The two beasts are sized to complement each other, embodying authentic Han jade carving aesthetics and craftsmanship. This complete matched set serves as a vital physical artifact for researching Han animal jade sculpture and ancient evil-repelling rituals, carrying exceptional archaeological academic value, top-tier antique jade collecting value and decorative display appeal.

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