A BEAUTIFUL EASTERN ZHOU JADE ORNAMENT WITH AN OPENWORK PATTERN OF DRAGONS
A BEAUTIFUL EASTERN ZHOU JADE ORNAMENT WITH AN OPENWORK PATTERN OF DRAGONS
Jade
China, Eastern Zhou (770-256 BC), 5th to 4th century BC
The design of this seemingly abstract ornament is actually an intricate pattern of two symmetrically placed dragons whose sinuous bodies curve, curl and meet along the central axis. Their heads, with upturned curled snouts, are located on the sides of the ornament and delicately rendered with simple lines, while the bodies are decorated with double-incised lines, curls, circles, scrolls and some etched areas. Squared and curled appendages protrude from the bodies of the dragons, whereas their trifurcated tails meet at the top center.
Dimensions: LENGTH 7.1 CM, WIDTH 3.5 CM
Condition: The lovely translucent celadon green jade is almost completely free of inclusions, except for some tiny points of brown: there is noticeable alteration on one half of the jade′s surface.
Provenance: Old Austrian private collection