Two large white jade beads, Neolithic period | 新石器時代　玉勒子一對

Collection of Robert H. Ellsworth (1929-2014), New York, before 2000.

Christie's New York, 19th March 2015, lot 473.

Jade beads hold significant importance in the history of early Chinese jade carvings, serving both decorative and symbolic functions. Typically strung and worn on the neck or waist, these beads could appear alone or combined with other jade ornaments. While later examples often featured carved decoration such as animal masks, cloud-scrolls, grain patterns, dragons, phoenixes, or inscriptions, early Neolithic examples predominantly exhibit plain, undecorated surfaces, emphasising the intrinsic beauty of the jade material itself. For further discussion of Neolithic jade forms, see Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jade: From the Neolithic to the Qing, London, 1995, pp. 148-150

來源

安思遠（1929-2014年）收藏，紐約，2000年前

紐約佳士得2015年3月19日，編號473

此對玉勒子即為新石器時代佳例，玉質潔瑩，沁色自然，簡樸雅致，殊為難得。勒子乃玉飾中之要器，於中國早期玉文化中佔有重要地位，既具裝飾之美，亦含禮儀象徵之意。或懸佩於胸前，或繫結於腰間，或獨立佩戴，或與其他玉飾配合成組。其形制多樣，圓勒子有上下等粗之圓柱形、中央纖細之束腰形、中粗兩端細之橄欖形、一端粗一端細之喇叭形、秤砣形等；晚期勒子紋飾有獸面、卷雲、穀紋、龍鳳及文字等，而新石器時代之勒子多以素面為主，著重玉質本身之美，不事雕琢繁縟，樸素自然，別具韻味。相關討論參考羅森著，《Chinese Jade: From the Neolithic to the Qing》，倫敦，1995年，頁148-150。