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.

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.

Cf. Qiang, X., Hongshan-Cultural Ancient Jade Appraisal, China, 2007, p.31, 115 and 251, for similar and hair ornaments in grave contexts.

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.