Archaic (Shang) White Jade Bird Dragon Carving

Chinese: Antiquities: Hardstones Pre 1800: item #686498

This unusual stylized white jade carving of a bird with a dragons head measures 2 1/2 inches tall by 1 1/2 inches wide by about 1 1/2 inches in depth.

It is carved from a very white nephrite and has small brown inclusions on a few areas on it's head. It also has a very dark brown oxidized area around the bottom of the carving. It gives ... Click for details

Shang Jade

Chinese: Antiquities: Hardstones Pre AD 1000: item #668006
1553

Fine and rare Shang Dynasty (1600BCE-1100BCE) jade in the shape of a knife handle, these types of jade often had a family or ancestral name written on the surface, so most likely they functioned as funereal “ancestor tablets”. There is one fracture at the tip of the bottom and a small inclusion near the shoulder of the “hilt” otherwise this piece is in exceptionally good condition. L: 7.7cm/3in and W: 2.6cm/1.1in. Included is museum quality perspex mounting. *Please note the last two... Click for details

A Chinese Neolithic Jade Axe/Scraper, 4500~2300 BC.

Chinese: Antiquities: Hardstones Pre AD 1000: item #665560
3751

A CHINESE JADE AXE ~ SCRAPER, NEOLITHIC.

The stone dark green with inclusions of lighter material. The sides are not parallel, nor indeed is the bi-convex thickness. The hole appears to be drilled from both sides, one side more than the other, but it is accurately done and difficult to discern. It does however appear to pierce the stone at a very slight angle. Circa 4500 ~ 2300 BCE. ... Click for details

Archaic Jade Shang Style Robed Figure with "Horns"

Chinese: Antiquities: Hardstones Pre 1920: item #656890

This standing nephrite jade carving of a bearded and robed figure with long horns or donkey ears measures about 10 1/2 inches tall by 3 inches wide by 1 1/2 inches in depth.

It is carved from a large piece of nephrite ranging from pale to deep green with a strip of oxidized white to yellow jade down the middle. In addition, there is a c... Click for details

Han Dynasty agate bangles

Chinese: Antiquities: Hardstones Pre AD 1000: item #621925
1474

Ensemble of three small agate bangles from China circa Han Dynasty, traces of excavation and a lacquer substance adhering to the surface. All three have cracks and one a significant chip, still nice pieces and at a good price.

Dian Culture agate beads

Chinese: Antiquities: Hardstones Pre AD 1000: item #619627
1470

Fine and rare set of five agate “nipple” beads from the Dian civilization circa 500 BCE. The Dian were a non Han culture that was centered around Dianchi Lake in Yunnan, Southwest China. Their bronze artifacts show they had a strong affinity with the Southeast Asian Dong Son Culture. The only history of these mysterious people was recorded by the Han who say they eventually became their vassal state, because the Dian King was accorded an official title. All the physical evidence (bro... Click for details

Dian Culture agate bead

Chinese: Antiquities: Hardstones Pre AD 1000: item #619626
1469

Fine and rare unusually large agate "nipple" bead, from the Dian civilization circa 500 BCE. The Dian were a non Han culture that was centered around Dianchi Lake in Yunnan, Southwest China. Their bronze artifacts show they had a strong affinity with the Southeast Asian Dong Son Culture. The only history of these mysterious people were recorded by the Han who say they eventually became a Han vassal state, because the Dian King was accorded an official title. All the physical evidence... Click for details

Jade carving

Chinese: Antiquities: Hardstones Pre 1492: item #614735
1448

Good Ming Dynasty or earlier, jade floral carving which may be worn as pendant. Good condition with no damage. 3.8cm/1.5in x 3.4cm/1.6in.

Museum Quality Warring States Jade Discs, Tested

Chinese: Antiquities: Hardstones Pre AD 1000: item #602881
JHS140

DESCRIPTION: An extremely rare, museum quality set of three large, well carved nephrite discs in concentric rings, the stone a pale tan-celadon color with natural inclusions. Each ring has been incised with twisting bands that rise from bottom left to upper right, a design referred to as a right-handed helix (see another ancient jade disc of the same color, carved as a right-handed helix in “Arts of Asia”, Vol. 29, Number 1). This is without a doubt one of the largest and finest ancient jade p... Click for details

Jade plaque

Chinese: Antiquities: Hardstones Pre AD 1000: item #585005
1401

Fine old Chinese nephrite jade, circa Tang Dynasty or earlier. This piece has been crisply cut and polished on all sides and edges, the tiny holes drilled front and back indicate that this piece was possibly a garment fastener which was held on with either gold or silver wire. An excellent study piece for the new collector. 5.8cm/2.3in x 3.2cm/1.4in.