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Details

LOT 1566

South East Asian Dragon Terminal

11TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.

4 in. (186 grams, 10 cm wide).

A copper-alloy terminal formed as a couchant dragon modelled with forepaws outstretched, stylised head with bulging eyes and four huge fangs, tail curved to one side of the body, chain with dangle to rear and tapering cylindrical bar. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Essex gallery, early 2000s.

CONDITION

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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 1566

South East Asian Dragon Terminal

Sold for (Inc. bp): £33

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    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.

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