Lot 017 A PALE CELADON AND RUST-BROWN JADE ‘DRAGON AND PHOENIX’ PENDANT WARRING STATES TO HAN DYNASTY STYLE

Description

A PALE CELADON AND RUST-BROWN JADE ‘DRAGON AND PHOENIX’ PENDANT
WARRING STATES TO HAN DYNASTY STYLE
战国至汉代风格 青玉带沁龙凤纹佩
MEASUREMENTS
L. 5.1 cm (2.0 in.); Thickness: 0.6 cm (0.24 in.)
ESTIMATE
USD 2,500 — 3,800
HKD 20,000 — 30,000
DESCRIPTION
The pendant is skillfully carved from a pale celadon jade, now featuring significant opaque white calcification (“chicken-bone white”) and rich russet-brown inclusions, particularly on the reverse and along the upper edges. The piece is intricately worked in openwork (tou-diao) and low relief to depict a stylized dragon and phoenix intertwined in a dynamic, sinuous composition.
The dragon’s body is embellished with fine incised cross-hatching and cloud scrolls, while the head exhibits powerful, archaic features characteristic of the transition from the Warring States to the Han period. The reverse displays a flatter surface with dramatic mineral alterations and a small suspension hole. The stone possesses a smooth, waxy patina, characteristic of prolonged burial and the “ripened” (laoshu) texture highly prized by collectors.
描述
此佩取材上等青玉，质地致密温润。器身见大面积自然钙化形成的**“鸡骨白”沁及浓郁的深褐色沁斑，尤以背面及顶部最为显著，呈现出极具视觉张力的矿物蚀变特征。器面以透雕及减地浮雕工艺雕琢龙凤纹饰**，构图繁复灵动，龙凤身躯交织穿插，线条婉转舒畅。
龙形主体辅以精细的网格纹（压划纹）及勾连云纹装饰，刀法干练有力，展现了典型的战汉玉佩艺术风格。器身背面较为平整，保留了厚重的包浆与时代风化痕迹，并对穿一单面系孔。整器形制独特，厚度达0.6厘米，沁色古雅，是高古玉佩中兼具工艺力量美与沧桑古朴气息的精品。
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The pairing of the dragon and phoenix represents the ultimate harmony of Yin and Yang, a central motif in ancient Chinese philosophy and imperial iconography. During the Warring States and Han periods, such pendants were core components of the “Pendant Set” (zupei), intended to chime rhythmically as the wearer walked, symbolizing the refined conduct of the nobility. This specific pendant, with its robust proportions and sophisticated openwork, reflects the artistic peak of the “S-curve” silhouette. Comparable examples are held in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, documenting the evolution of this auspicious motif.
龙凤佩是中国古代玉文化中“阴阳调和、吉祥永恒”的最高象征。战国至汉代时期，此类佩饰是贵族组玉佩中的核心件，随步行而振动，寓意君子之德。此佩通过灵动的S形曲线将龙的威严与凤的柔美合二为一，体现了战汉时期“气韵生动”的艺术理想。台北故宫博物院《敬天格物》中藏有类似形制之龙凤佩，足见其在礼制文明与艺术史中的显赫地位。
PROVENANCE
• Private Collection, Canada.
• 加拿大私人珍藏。
CONDITION REPORT
• Condition: Overall excellent archaic condition. The surface displays significant natural calcification, archaic stress cracks (qin-lie), and mineral deposits consistent with its age. The motifs and openwork remain well-preserved with no modern restorations.
• 状况： 整体品相良好。表面见显著的钙化、沁裂及自然矿物沉积，属高古玉正常老化迹象。纹饰清晰，透雕处保存完整。经检测无明显后期修复。