Description:

East Asia, Northeastern China, Neolithic period, Hongshan culture, ca. 4700 to 2900 BCE. A hand-carved nephrite jade amulet in the form of an abstract zoomorphic figure, often referred to as a "pig dragon" (zhulong). Characterized by its limbless, coiled body - sometimes interpreted as fetal-shaped - this piece features a prominent central hole and a slit between the snout and tail, with an additional smaller suspension hole along the outer edge, likely for wearing as a talisman. The Hongshan culture, a sophisticated Neolithic society spanning present-day Liaoning province and Inner Mongolia, is renowned for its elaborate ceremonial sites and masterful jade craftsmanship, with pig dragon pendants believed to hold spiritual or ritual significance. Size: 2" Diameter (5.1 cm)

Provenance: private Great Barrington, Massachusetts, USA collection, 1995 to 2005 or via inheritance; ex-JCT collection, U.S. Navy Commander, assembled 1926 to 1934

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#193037

  • Condition: Surface nicks and pitting throughout, but smooth with age. Mineral encrustations on the surface.

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April 3, 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