Description:

East Asia, China, Hongshan to Longshan culture, Neolithic Period, ca. 4700 to 1900 BCE. A captivating pendant, carved from warm, caramel-hued stone with rich, variegated tones of butterscotch, cream, and sienna, originating from the Neolithic Hongshan culture of northeastern China. Shaped in the form of a stylized bird, the figure exudes quiet power and abstraction - the wings sweep down in rounded arcs, while the chest bears subtle incised markings of feet or talons. Atop its head, two prominent bulging eyes peer forward with an intense, otherworldly presence, imbuing the figure with a totemic aura. The bird, a sacred motif in Hongshan iconography, likely symbolized transcendence, shamanic flight, or the soul's passage between earthly and celestial realms. Polished smooth by ancient hands and pierced at the back for suspension, this pendant may once have adorned the body of a shaman or accompanied the dead into the afterlife, its silent form guarding and guiding across the threshold of worlds. Size: 2.6" L x 2.1" W (6.6 cm x 5.3 cm)

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Arts du Monde, imported into the US in 1994

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#194008

  • Condition: Light surface wear as shown, but otherwise intact and excellent with nice detail and smooth surfaces. Wearable as a pendant.

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June 20, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000