A GROUP OF THREE ARCHAISTIC JADES CARVINGS AND AN AGATE PENDANT NEOLITHIC PERIOD TO SHANG DYNASTY

comprising a Hongshan culture green jade blade of trapezoidal form, pierced with a hole at one end; a Hongshan culture jade plaque double-pierced with a smaller hole drilled at the top; a Shang dynasty jade floral ornament with a central aperture for attachment; a Beiyinyangying culture arc-shaped agate with two small holes pierced at each end

Exquisite Jade Carving, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1996, cat. nos 133 (agate pendant) and 146 (jade ornament).

Arc-shaped agate: Apart from an old minor chip near the aperture on one end and a dull patina, the overall condition is quite good. The actual colour is slightly paler than in the catalogue illustration. Green floral ornament: There are a couple of minor old chips along the edges, but the overall condition is quite good. The actual colour of the stone is slightly deeper than the catalogue illustration. Hongshan double hole ornament: The edges have minor nicks and chips, which are all old. The overall condition is quite good. The actual colour is slightly creamier than the catalogue illustration. Axe head: The overall condition is very good. The actual colour of the stone is slightly deeper than the catalogue illustration.
"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."

A slightly later blade of related form in the Simon Kwan collection was included in the exhibition Chinese Archaic Jades from the Kwan Collection, Art Gallery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1994, cat. no. 38. Compare two double-pierced plaques of similar form illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji, vol. 1, Shijiazhuang, 1993, pls 90 and 91.  See four closely related arc-shaped pendants in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in Teng Shu-P'ing, Neolithic Jades in the Collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1992; one in the Simon Kwan collection, included in the exhibition Chinese Archaic Jades from the Kwan Collection, Art Gallery, op. cit., cat. no. 36; and another illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji, op. cit., pl. 57.