A RARE PALE GREEN JADE 'DRAGON' PENDANT, XI EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTY |

finely carved, the arched body tapered and terminating in a pointed tip, the other side in a dragon-head in profile, its hooked beak open revealing pointed teeth, blunted snout and long horns pinned back against the head, and with a C-shaped aperture for suspension, the body finely incised with fine lines, the beige celadon stone with russet markings and inclusions

Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978). 

There is a restored break to the tail of the dragon. The tip has been slightly polished. Some expected minute nicks and chips along the edges.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This curved dragon pendant, xi, is also referred to as a 'knot opener' or 'claw-shaped pendant'. See a similar dragon-form xi attributed to the Late Zhou dynasty in the Harvard Art Museums, illustrated in Max Loehr, Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1975, pl. 500. Another with a hooked tail, attributed to the Eastern Zhou dynasty, in the British Museum, London, is illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jades, London, 1995, pl. 17:11. Two more elaborately carved xi were included in the C.T. Loo exhibition, Chinese Archaic Jades, Norton Gallery of Art, West Palm Beach, Florida, 1950, cat. nos 4-5. A xi with a shorter tail, formerly in the collection of Dr. Paul Singer is now in the Freer Sackler Galleries, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., acc. no. RLS1997.48.2135, whilst another of similar profile in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, is illustrated in Illustrated Catalogue of Ancient Jade Artifacts in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1982, pl. 103. Compare another similar pendant sold at Christie's New York, 6th December 1983, lot 206.