A JADE ‘CLOUD-SCROLL’ PENDANT, LATE NEOLITHIC PERIOD, HONGSHAN CULTURE

拍品描述

A JADE ‘CLOUD-SCROLL’ PENDANT, LATE NEOLITHIC PERIOD, HONGSHAN CULTURE Expert’s note: The mottled brown to near-black, crust-like alteration covering much of the present carving appears to have developed through prolonged contact with the burial environment, probably reflecting the accumulation of iron- and manganese-bearing compounds from the surrounding soil within fissures and more porous areas of the nephrite. In several places, the original pale celadon tone of the stone remains visible. The irregular distribution and embedded character of this alteration are consistent with extended burial and support the attribution of the carving to the Hongshan culture. China, c. 4000-3000 BC. Of flattened form, boldly carved as a stylized scrolling cloud with a tightly closed central curl. A subtle ridge in shallow relief follows the principal sweep of the whorl, while curled protuberances accent the corners. The carving is pierced at the top with two small circular apertures, drilled from both sides for suspension. The finely polished stone is of a dark brown tone resulting from extensive mineral alteration, beneath which the original translucent pale celadon tone is partially visible. Dimensions: Length 15.4 cm This distinctive type of jade with arcs surrounding a central whorl has been found among Hongshan excavations and is known as a 'hooked cloud'. When properly oriented the similarity of form to the more commonly seen pig dragon and known oracle script characters for Qiu- and Long-Dragon become strikingly visible. Literature comparison: Compare two closely related jade ‘cloud hook’ pendants, dated to the Neolithic period, 23.5 cm and 22.5 cm long, in the Liaoning Provincial Museum. Compare a related ‘cloud hook’ pendant, dated to the Hongshan culture, 13.7 cm long, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, object number 新00200400. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 27 November 2019, lot 2711 Price: HKD 175,000 or approx. EUR 24,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the related form and manner of carving. Note the size (12.3 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s Paris, 10 June 2021, lot 91 Price: EUR 20,160 or approx. EUR 25,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the related form and manner of carving. Note the smaller size (8.5 cm).

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