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Lot Essay
The xi, often known in the West as a knot-opener, is very similar to one illustrated by d'Argencé, Chinese Jades in The Avery Brundage Collection, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 1977, pl. XV (left), where it is dated late Warring States/Western Han, circa 3rd century BC. It was also included in the O.C.S. exhibition, Chinese Jade throughout the ages, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1 May-22 June 1975, no. 128, where it is dated Han dynasty, 3rd-2nd century BC.
The greyish-green jade mask pendant is quite similar to one in the Winthrop Collection illustrated by M. Loehr, Ancient Chinese Jades, Fogg Art Museum, 1975, p. 341, no. 504. Both feature a central horned mask, enclosed by a split body which curves around the mask to form a ring. Another openwork pendant in the Winthrop Collection, ibid, p. 340, no. 502, also has a similar mask but this time it is flanked by the sinuous bodies of two dragons which seem to issue from the top of the mask. Both of these pieces are dated late Eastern Zhou.
The greyish-green jade mask pendant is quite similar to one in the Winthrop Collection illustrated by M. Loehr, Ancient Chinese Jades, Fogg Art Museum, 1975, p. 341, no. 504. Both feature a central horned mask, enclosed by a split body which curves around the mask to form a ring. Another openwork pendant in the Winthrop Collection, ibid, p. 340, no. 502, also has a similar mask but this time it is flanked by the sinuous bodies of two dragons which seem to issue from the top of the mask. Both of these pieces are dated late Eastern Zhou.