Petit pendentif en jade Dynastie Shang, ca. 1200-1100 avant J.-C.

en forme d'oiseau en vol, la tête large et la queue fourchue, le centre percé d'une ouverture, la pierre verte mouchetée d'inclusions blanches et rouille

Acquired in Beijing, January 1945 (according to Max Loehr's notes).
Collection of Prof. Max Loehr (1903-1988).
J. J. Lally & Co., New York, 1993.

Chinese Archaic Jades and Bronzes from the Estate of Professor Max Loehr and Others, J. J. Lally & Co., New York, 1993, no. 61.

J. J. Lally & Co., Chinese Archaic Jades and Bronzes from the Estate of Professor Max Loehr and Others, New York, 1993, cat. no. 61.

The pendant is in good overall condition.The stone is of a greener colour than the catalogue illustration suggests and beautifully polished. There are minute traces of of earth and cinnabar in the recessed parts of the carving.
"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."

Numerous variations of miniature jade bird carvings such as the present example and the following two lots exist in collections formed in the first part of the 20th century. Like many other small animal carvings they were often made using fragments of older jade pieces that had survived. Five similarly small triangular calcified jade plaques carved in the form of birds illustrate the clever use of fragments of older jades using the basic shape of these fragments and adapting them into a new formal repertoire including animal figures, see Max Loehr and Louisa G. Fitzgerald Huber, Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1975, p. 197, cat. no. 266.