A calcified jade 'bird' pendant, Neolithic period, Hongshan culture | 新石器時代紅山文化　鳥首玉珮

Wu Tanghai, Jades of Hongshan Culture, Aurora Art Museum, Taipei, 2007, pl. 99.

Depicted with the head of a bird with eyes pierced through, this pendant is a very rare example from the Hongshan culture. While avian imagery is not uncommon in Hongshan culture, birds are more frequently shown with wings outstretched. The incised grooves on the forehead, upright ears, and pierced eyes closely recall features seen on Hongshan pig dragons, such as an example illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji [Complete collection of Chinese jades], vol. 1: Yuanshi shehui [Primitive society], Hebei, 1991, pl. 31. See also another rare Hongshan culture jade ‘bird’ pendant offered in this sale, lot 943.

出版

吳棠海，《紅山玉器》，震旦藝術博物館，台北，2007年，圖版99

本玉飾雕作鳥首形，雙目對穿，為紅山文化中極為罕見之珍例。鳥類題材於紅山文化中雖非罕見，然多作展翅之姿。其額前陰刻線紋、豎耳及對穿雙目等特徵，與紅山文化玉豬龍極為相似，參考一例，載於《中國玉器全集》卷一：原始社會，河北，1991年，圖版31。另比一例，為本場拍賣之另一件紅山文化玉「鳥」形飾，編號943。