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LOT 0427
Chinese Hongshan Hoof-Shaped Black Jade Hair Ornament
HONGSHAN DYNASTY, CIRCA 3500 B.C.
4 7/8 in. (188 grams, 12.5 cm high).
A black jade hoof-shaped hair ornament of open-ended, truncated cylindrical form, two piercings towards the base for attachment; retaining its original patina.
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
Cf. Qiang, X., Hongshan-Cultural Ancient Jade Appraisal, China, 2007, p.31, 115 and 251, for similar and hair ornaments in grave contexts.
FootnotesThe 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.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0427
Chinese Hongshan Hoof-Shaped Black Jade Hair Ornament
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000€5,800 - 8,120 (for guidance only)$6,750 - 9,450 (for guidance only)
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Chinese Dragon Weight
19th-20th century A.D.Estimate: £350 - 450 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £194
A Han style bronze weight in the form of a dragon with a coiled, snake-like body, powerful clawed paws and stylised features to the head and face. 607 grams, 86 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1970s. West Country, UK, collection. -
Sino-Tibetan Gilt Buddha Figure
19th-20th century A.D.Estimate: £350 - 450 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £194
A gilt-bronze statuette of Buddha sitting cross-legged on a lotus flower dais; both hands placed palm-upwards in the lap; the D-shaped base with a lotus detailing to the outer face and icons of Buddha in various poses, hollow with panel to the underside. 1.9 kg, 17 cm high
Fine condition.
Acquired 1970s-2000s. From a Japanese collection of Buddhist art. -
Chinese Tang Horse with Female Rider
Tang Dynasty, 618-907 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
A ceramic horse and female rider figure, modelled in the round on a rhomboidal base; the horse portrayed with semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing, medium-length mane, short tail dressed with a ribbon, its head angled slightly downwards and ears pricked forwards; the female rider modelled seated in a saddle, wearing a knee-length robe and boots, arms held in front of her body, hands held in a gripping position to accept reins (absent), her hair dressed in a top knot, stylised facial features; extensive remains of polychrome pigmentation. 5.1 kg, 45 cm high
Acquired in the 1990s. From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK. Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report no.C122h21 from Oxford Authentication.
In Tang art, poetry and painting the horse was exalted. The delight taken in portraying horses became an end in itself. Women were made to mount them, according to the Tang conception, so that the two can be considered together, introducing in China a fashion from Kotan.
