A CEREMONIAL JADE BLADE NEOLITHIC PERIOD

of rectangular form with a sharp pointed end, pierced to the other end with a small aperture, the blade carved with three subtly raised vertical ridges, the stone of a creamy-white tone mottled with slate and russet veins

The overall condition is very good with only old minor chips along the base and corners of the blade. The stone has a few short faint superficial hairline cracks extending from the base.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The current blade is notable for its strong asymmetrical shape and highly polished surface. Jade tools and weapons appeared during the late Neolithic age as exceptionally fine versions of utilitarian tools and weapons, and probably stood at the apex of a hierarchy of such implements. They would have been recognised as being closely related to, yet completely distinct from, the functional pieces and thus displayed their owner's high status.

A closely related example in the British Museum is illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, pl. 10:24; and another from the Simon Kwan collection was included in the exhibition Chinese Archaic Jades from the Kwan Collection, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1994, cat. no. 65. Jade blades of this type and still attached to their original bronze hafts, in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, are published in Max Loehr, Ancient Chinese Jades, Cambridge, Mass., 1975, pls 75-81. Compare also one sold in our New York rooms, 19^th October 2000, pl. 68; another sold in our London rooms 11^th December 1984, lot 71; and a third example sold at Christie's London, 21^st May 1965, lot 115.