Four Archaistic Jade Carvings

comprising a brown jade amulet carved and pierced in the form of a coiled dragon, its bi-furcated tail curled round towards it open mouth, based on an Eastern Zhou prototype; a deep green and russet ritual disc, decorated to the flattened edge with taotie masks, amongst stylised scrolling dragon heads; a yellow and pale celadon jade square belt hook, with white altered flecks to the pale surfaces, the upper edge carved in relief with a Daoist priest seated cross legged, a fly whisk in one hand, the underside with four sets of drills holes to the corners, Tang style; and a vibrant green jade plaque, possibly of a heavily stylised zoomorphic form with channeling and bevelling to the body of the piece, one large drill hole to the body, Hongshan Culture style -- the Tang style plaque 1 7/8in. (4.9cm.) wide. (4) - Price Realized: £99,650 ($157,945)

Provenance: Baron and Baroness von Oertzen Collection

Literature: S. Howard Hansford, Jade - Essence of Hills and Streams, Johannesburg, 1969, no.s C22, C25, C28, C29, p. 101, 103-105.

Christie's. Chinese Art. 7 November 2008. London, South Kensington. Image Christie's Ltd 2008. www.christies.com