Chine, Jade /Chinese Jades

Lot 171. An early Chinese white jade carved figure of a bixie, Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Estimate $ 5,000-8,000. Photo Leonard Joel. The mythical horned animal in a crouching position and carved with full rounded body, grasping a leafy 'lingzhi' spray (the sacred mushroom) in its mouth, 8.4cm length, with wooden stand. Leonard Joel. The Decorative Arts Collection of James Fairfax AC, 18:30 AEST, Thursday 31 Aug

Lot 172. A fine Chinese jade carving of Bi Xie, Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Estimate $ 5,000-8,000. Photo Leonard Joel. The mythical animal recumbent and carved with full rounded body, the head turned backwards, and grasping a long, leafy 'lingzhi' spray (the sacred mushroom) in its mouth, its back paws slightly raised, the pale green jade with a few russet inclusions, 10cm length, with decorative wooden stand. Note: For similar, please see Christie's, New York, 30 March 2005, lot 111; Sotheby's, London, 6... [Lire la suite]

Lot 174. A superbly carved Chinese jade figure of a mythical horse, Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Estimate $ 40,000-60,000. Photo Leonard Joel. The mottled white jade figure, recumbent atop a bed of swirling waves and rockwork, with finely combed mane, its head turned towards a collection of books bound together with a flowing sash, symbolic of one of 'the four accomplishments' upon its back, the body depicted with scales and a dragon tail, in keeping with the Chinese legend of Haima (Sea Horse), 17.25cm length, with... [Lire la suite]

Straight chisel (gui圭) with face and bird, Late Neolithic period, Longshan culture 龍山 (ca. 3000 - ca. 1700 BCE). Jade (nephrite). H x W x D: 18.3 x 3.4 x 0.8 cm (7 3/16 x 1 5/16 x 5/16 in). Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1915.87 © 2017 Smithsonian Institution Ceremonial implement of the type kuei [gui 圭]; short narrow form with beveled end and perforated handle; mottled dark olive brown, reddish brown, olive green, and orange; decoration: in sensible relief and channeled, a demon head on one side, a spread eagle on reverse, triple... [Lire la suite]

Dragon-shaped pendant ornament (pei), China, Warring States Period (approx. 480-221 BCE). Nephrite. H. 1/2 in x W. 3 3/8 in x D. 3/16 in, H. 1.3 cm x W. 8.6 cm x D. .5 cm. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60J664 © 2017 Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture. The suspension hole for this long slender dragon-shaped pei is drilled directly in the center of the body, providing balance for the continuation of the parts of the pendant that were suspended from each end. The central abdomen rises in a... [Lire la suite]

Dragon-shaped pendant (xi), China, Warring States Period (approx. 480-221 BCE). Nephrite. H. 1 3/4 in x L. 6 1/8 in x D. 3/16 in, H. 4.4 cm x L. 15.6 cm x D. .5 cm. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60J663 © 2017 Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture. The xi is normally a dragon with a pointed end thought to be the bottom-most piece in the pendant assemblies of the late Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Although described as a xi by most experts, this piece may instead... [Lire la suite]

Pendant of stylized birds (xian), China, Warring States Period (approx. 480-221 BCE). Nephrite. H. 15/16 in x W. 1 11/16 in. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60J639 © 2017 Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture. Similar to the piece described above (#40), this piece features bird decoration; in this case a pair of bird heads attached to a flattened oval ring. The holes cut under the beaks of the bird and one on the side indicate that this piece functioned as part of a pendant. The central hole is outlined... [Lire la suite]

Belt hook (daigou), China, Warring States Period (approx. 480-221 BCE). Nephrite. H. 2 1/4 in x W. 1 1/8 in x D. 3/8 in, H. 5.7 cm x W. 2.9 cm x D. .95 cm. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60J630 © 2017 Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture. Recent excavations indicate that from at least the late Shang dynasty the Chinese wore loose fitting gowns that folded over in the front and were secured by a belt. The belts themselves could be quite broad and, in some cases, were held in place by a narrower piece... [Lire la suite]

Sword pommel, China, Warring States Period (approx. 480-221 BCE). Nephrite. Diam. 1 15/16 in. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60J621 © 2017 Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture. This sword pommel has a slightly beveled ridge around its outer edge. A field of raised comma spirals defined by incised lines fills the exterior region, and the grid used by the carver to arrange the whorls is slightly visible. This "sprouting grain" pattern is the culmination of the development of textured surfaces that... [Lire la suite]

Pendant with dragon, China, Warring States Period (approx. 480-221 BCE). Nephrite. H. 3 1/2 in x W. 9 3/4 in x D. 1/4 in, H. 8.89 cm x W. 24.77 cm x D. .64 cm. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60J549 © 2017 Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture. Exhibition History: "Stones of Eternity: Chinese Jades from the Asian Art Museum", Tooley & Company, The Hibernia Bank Building (201 California Street, San Francisco), 2/10/1986 - 2/1987"Magic, Art and Order: Jade in Chinese Culture", Palm Springs... [Lire la suite]