A FINE JADE BEAD IN THE SHAPE OF A MINIATURE CONG
A FINE JADE BEAD IN THE SHAPE OF A MINIATURE CONG
Jade
China, Late Neolithic, Liangzhu culture, c. 3300-2200 BC
This lovely little bead is shaped like a miniature cong with rounded collars at the extremities, a squared body and two masks carved on the sides. The pupils of the eyes are surrounded by tiny incised lines and a short bar in relief carved below designates the mouth. The two plain, raised bands carved on top of the bead are also similar to those that decorate the top of the previous cong. The suspension hole, not perfectly centered, is drilled from both sides and narrows towards the middle of the bead.
Dimensions: LENGTH 2.95 CM
Condition: The jade is reddish in color and features white, age-related calcification with some small nicks and chips.
Provenance: Old Austrian private collection