Lot 2704. A jade carving of a bird-shaped pendant, Hongshan Culture, circa 4000-3000 BC; 1 7/8 in. (4.6 cm.) long. Estimate HKD 260,000 - HKD 400,000. Price realised HKD 1,125,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2019 

The flattened pendant is carved in the form of a bird with a rounded head and outspread wings incised with vertical parallel lines. The top of the reverse is pierced with two small circular apertures, box.

Provenance: Lantien Shanfang Collection, acquired in Taipei in 1989.

Note: As one of the Neolithic cultures developed across northern China, Hongshan Culture is named after the archaeological site behind Hongshan (Red Hill) in Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, discovered by the Japanese archaeologists Kosaku Hamada and Seiichi Mizuno in 1935. Initially termed ‘Chifeng Culture Phase 1’, it was later renamed Hongshan Culture in 1954. Findings include painted pottery, pottery with impressed zigzag or combed design, fine stone tools, as well as polished stone carvings. Hongshan Culture spans across southeast Inner Mongolia, west Liaoning and north Hebei. A small number of findings were also found in northwest Jilin. Excavated sites include Zhizhu Mountain in Chifeng, Xishuiquan, Sandaowanzi in Aohan Banner, Sileng Mountain, as well as Nanyangjiayingzi in Barin Left Banner etc. Hongshan Culture is dated to circa 3500 BC based on radiocarbon dating of its archaeological finds.