A CELADON AND BROWN JADE ORNAMENT, HENG WESTERN HAN DYNASTY

of arched form, carved to both sides with the 'rush' pattern, the edges with rectangular notches, the stone of a pale celadon colour with calcified areas

The ornament is in overall good condition. As visible in the catalogue photo and expected with its age and type, there are calcified areas to the stone. There are also a few typical minute nicks along the edges. The actual colour of the stone is of a slightly more celadon tone 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."

This greenish-white jade object lightly suffused with brown, is marked in part by chicken-bone white calcification, and is so polished and smooth it has the lustre of glass. It shows heavy discoloration by the earth from which it has been excavated. It has raised lipped edges all around, and a fine cattail design is carved on both sides in low relief. Its outer circumference has several pairs of symmetrical notches, and a small hole is pieced through from the back. Such large jade ornaments so far unearthed can be dated as early as the mid-late Warring States era. For Warring States examples, see the heng excavated from Tomb 2 at Wangshan, Jiangling, Hubei Province, illustrated in Jiangling Wangshan Shazhong Chumu [The Chu Tombs at Shazhong, Wangshang, Jiangling] Beijing, 1996, p. 155, fig. 101:3-4.  The design continued to be popular into the Han dynasty. Two multiple jade pendant groups were excavated from the tombs of Lady Zuo and Lady Tai in the tomb complex of the Western Han era King of Nanyue in Guangzhou, and the large jade ornaments suspended at the end of these groups appear similar to this one. See Guangzhou Cultural Relics Board of Management Committee, Xi Han Nanyue Wang mu [Tomb of the Western Han Era King of Nanyue], vol. 2, Beijing, 1991, figs 150 and 151.