A RARE YELLOWISH-GREEN JADE ORNAMENT, HENG LATE SPRING AND AUTUMN PERIOD

of arched form with dragon-head terminals, one side decorated with abstract kuilong, the other with incised scrollwork, the centre pierced with two small apertures

There is a light bruise (0.2cm) towards the back of one dragon head and some minute nibbling along the edges. The stone with some calcified patches in both ends, and is of a slightly lighter tone compared to 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."

Carved from greenish-yellow jade of lustrous quality, the dragons’ heads at the two ends are marked with chicken-bone white calcification, and the two sides of the piece are worked differently: one side exquisitely carved with a coiled serpent design in low relief and the other side worked in intaglio with a hooked clouds freely flowing design. The two ends consist of dragon heads, and the middle part sets off the design with cord patterns. Similar jade ornament pendants were excavated from the tomb of State Minister Zhao at Jinsheng Village, Taiyuan, Shanxi, illustrated in Taiyuan Jinguo Zhaoqing mu [Tomb of State Minister Zhao of the State of Jin], Beijing, 1996, pp. 142-145, and from the Tomb 2 at Yimen Village, Baoji, in Shaanxi, illustrated in Gu Fang, Zhongguo chutu yuqi quanji [The Complete Collection of Jades Unearthed in China], vol. 14, Beijing, 2005, p. 98. Compare also a late Spring and Autumn era dragon-shape jade ornament in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Jingtian gewu—Zhongguo lidai yuqi daodu [Venerate Heaven and Examine Things—Guide to Chinese Jade Objects Throughout the Ages], Taipei, National Palace Museum, 2011, p. 83, pl. 5-5-12. The back of the dragon ornament has been pierced with two holes, one above the other, which detract from the design and were probably later added.

Western Zhou semi-circular jade pendants or heng usually have holes pierced through the two ends and are so fashioned that the convex arc faces upward. However, when development reached the Eastern Zhou and the two Han eras, holes were pierced in the middle and pendants so fashioned that the two ends faced downward.