A SMALL JADE TAOTIE MASK WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY

carved as a taotie mask with slanting eyes and pointed ears, with a small aperture at the centre for attachment, the stone of a pale celadon tone with small opaque inclusions on the reverse 

The overall condition is very good. There is natural vein in the stone and light calcification on the back.
"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 closely related mask in the collection of W. P. Chung was included in the exhibition, Chinese Jade Carving, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1983, cat. no. 36; and another was sold at Christie's New York, 23^rd June 1982, lot 302. Masks of this type but of slightly varying form and incised decoration can be found in major collections around the world, for example see several versions in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, illustrated in Max Loehr, Ancient Chinese Jades, Cambridge, Mass., 1975, pls 161-165; another in the Zhouyuan Museum, Shaanxi province, published in National Treasure Collection of Rare Cultural Relics of Shaanxi Province. Jades, Xi'an, 1999, pl. 85, and another from the Simon Kwan collection, included in the exhibition. Chinese Jade Carving, op. cit. cat. no. 40. For earlier versions of this form attributed to the Shang dynasty, see one sold at Christie's London, 7^th February, 1977, lot 207; and another two sold in our London rooms, 28^th April 1953, lot 95, and 29^th June 1950, lot 69.