A CELADON JADE CRESTED MYTHICAL BIRD PENDANT

LATE SHANG DYNASTY, CIRCA 14TH-MID-11TH CENTURY BC

Details

A CELADON JADE CRESTED MYTHICAL BIRD PENDANT
LATE SHANG DYNASTY, CIRCA 14TH-MID-11TH CENTURY BC
The flattened jade is carved in profile as a crested bird depicted in a perched position with round eyes, rounded beak and long tail. The flattened jade is carved in the form of a bird shown in profile, depicted with a hooked beak a large crest with notched edges, and a rounded breast above a bifurcated tail and a bent leg with terminating in a small pointed tab.
3 ¼ in. (8.5 cm.) long, box

Provenance

Acquired in Taipei, September 1986

Brought to you by

Priscilla Kong

pkong@christies.com +852 2978 9958

Lot Essay

Similar bird-form pendants have been excavated from the late Shang dynasty tomb of Fuhao at Anyang, including two that are illustrated in Yinxu Yuqi (Jades from the Yin Sites at Anyang), Beijing, 1982, pls. 44 and 57. Although the present lot is shown with unfinished carvings to both sides, there are clear similarities to the form and carving style. They are all depicted with a closely related tall crested crown with notched edges, hooked beaks and protruding rounded breast.

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