Description: Jade. China, Qing dynasty or earlier
Square-cut belt buckle with slightly domed frontside on four openwork edges, central depiction with relief of a geometrically stylized dragon with slender body facing to the left in a finely incised square-cut frame, verso with plain recessed base. The edges with rectangular openings. Creamy white jade with dark brown inclusions and veining, smooth surface polish.
Dimensions: HEIGHT 4.4 CM, LENGTH 4.4 CM, WIDTH 1.9 CM
Condition: Overall good condition consistent with age, traces of use and very fine and smooth hand patina, verso with minor scratches
Provenance: Private Canadian Collection Collector’s label reads: ‘6 Dynasties Jade Belt Buckle (3rd-6th C. A.D.). Kuei dragon head above stylized phoenix-bird head below. Rare 688 D509 [in red]. Off-white Manchurian jade w/ veining of orange-brown. This period is difficult but Han derivatives are most of the authentic examples. Strong & wearable [in red].’