Jade. China, Late Neolithic period, Hongshan culture, c.3500-2500 BC 勾雲形玉佩 - 新石器時代晚期, 紅山文化, 約公元前3500-2500 年 As exemplified by the present lot, Hongshan “toothed” pendants are characterized by a stylized mask carved in the centre and a row of double-pointed protrusions at the bottom that resemble the teeth of an animal: the central mask is flanked on both sides by flattened extensions with a straight incision at the centre. The two top lateral portions of this “toothed” ornament have been drilled with additional holes, giving the impression of two more stylized masks in profile carved on the sides. This feature is not usually seen on this type of pendant but the presence of additional holes on Hongshan jades carved with animal-like patterns is not uncommon. The mask at the centre is suggested by two small perforations and two crescentshaped cut-outs, representing the eyes and eyebrows of the animal’s face: there is also a small central hole for suspension located above. All of the holes have been drilled obliquely and from both sides of the jade and all the elements of the design are stressed by engraved grooves. The lovely cream coloured jade is streaked with diffused areas of different hues of russet and white due to inclusions in the stone. For a discussion of this type of ornament and further examples of “toothed” pendants, see F. Salviati, 4000 Years of Chinese Archaic Jades, Edition Zacke, Vienna 2017, pp.22-25. LENGTH 9.5 CM - WIDTH 4.5 CM 長7 厘米 -寬 4厘米 Expertise: Univ. Prof. Filippo Salviati All jades in this catalogue have been professionally examined, authenticated and dated by Univ. Prof. Filippo Salviati. Professor Salviati teaches Chinese and Korean art at Sapienza University in Rome, in the Italian Institute of Oriental Studies. He is a world expert on archaic Chinese jades, having released multiple publications and being cited by renowned auction houses such as Sotheby’s.