A BROWN JADE SWORD POMMEL AND A RUSSET JADE SCABBARD SLIDE, WEI WESTERN HAN DYNASTY AND WARRING STATES PERIOD

the pommel of circular form, incised around the central aperture with swirls, surrounded by a band of 'grain' motifs; the wei of rectangular form, carved to the top with a stylised beast mask

Both are in good condition. There are expected minute flakes to the edges of both, the largest a shallow flake measuring approx. 0.3 cm to the reverse of the scabbard slide. The catalogue illustration is warmer than the actual colour of the stones.
"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."

Carved from lustrous white jade, its outer circular section is decorated with grain stippling, and the slightly protuberant inner circular section is engraved in intaglio with four decorative scroll motifs, which were truncated when the round centre hole was cut later. The hole from the reverse side served as a groove into which the sword hilt was fixed.  Such jade sword hilts were popular during the Qin and Han eras, and we know from eight objects excavated from the tomb of the Western Han era King of Nanyue in Guangzhou that the complete intaglio decorative motifs engraved at the middle of this object should consist of four scroll patterns around a meticulously carved lozenge pattern at the exact centre; see Xihan Nanyuewang Mu [Tomb of the Western Han Era King of Nanyue], vol. 1, Beijing, 1991, p. 122 and ibid., vol. 2, figs 70-75.

Similar types of jade sword hilts were discovered in the No. 1 tomb excavated at Liuchengqiao in Changsha, Hunan; see Gu Fang, The Complete Collection of Jades Unearthed in China, vol. 10, Beijing, 2005, p. 196, in the Eastern Han tomb at Laohudun, Ganquan District, Ganjiang, in Yangzhou, Jiangsu; see Wenwu, vol. 10, 1991, p. 67, pl. 10:5. Compare also a sword pommel, formerly in the collection of Professor Max Loehr sold in our Paris rooms, 15th December 2016, lot 70.