Chinese Giant Banded Agate Bead Necklace

A black jade hoof-shaped hair ornament of open-ended, truncated cylindrical form, two piercings towards the base for attachment; retaining its original patina. 188 grams, 12.5 cm high



Acquired in Hong Kong, 1980s. Ex Prof. David Anderson collection, circa 2009. UK private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11709-198346.

The Hongshan Neolithic culture flourished in north-east China between ca. 4700 to 2900 B.C. Such items were tomb deposits, usually found cradling the head of the interred human remains. It is presumed such pieces gathered the hair which would be passed through the cylindrical body. They invariably feature a rippling effect around the top interior, and two holes at the bottom which may once have accommodated a wooden peg. Confucius stated that 'Jade is the incorruptible stone', leading to the trend for those who discovered such artefacts in Chinese tombs to polish them, removing their authenticating patina, before returning them to the grave to be photographed, so as to propagate the myth that they were unearthed in unblemished condition.

A rectangular ceramic brick displaying Buddha standing in a niche on a lotus flower base, his hands clasped to his chest, padmasana behind the head. 3.19 kg, 29 x 14 cm



Acquired 1970-1990s. Ex Hong Kong collection. From a private West Country collection.

A glazed ceramic Yuan style provincial ware jar with carinated profile and narrow foot, deep shoulder and raised rim, painted floral and tendril motifs to the body. 1.1 kg, 18 cm

Fine condition.

Ex North London collection of ceramics, 1990s.