Jade. China, Late Neolithic, late phase of the Liangzhu culture,c.2400-2200 BC神人紋玉琮 - 新石器時代晚期, 良渚文化晚期, 約公元前2400-2200年

HEIGHT: 10.6 CM, WIDTH: 7.3 CM,DIAMETER OF INNER HOLE: 5.5 CM高 10.6 厘米，寬 7.3 厘米，內孔5.5 厘米

This finely carved Liangzhu culture cong 琮has four registers decorated with simplified anthropomorphic masks, similar to those carved in the registers of the tall cong JAK917-004, in this auction. Each mask, placed within a rectangular register, has eyes marked with small incised circles and a plain band representing the mouth that wraps around the corner of each register. Two bands with finely incised parallel lines, framing a central, undecorated one, are carved on top of each mask: they are a simplified form of the feathered headdress worn by human-like figures in other Liangzhu carvings (see jade JAK917-010 in this auction, where the motif is rendered in full form). At the centre of each side of the cong there is a plain, vertical band that separates the sets of masks carved at the corners.

The smooth collar is short, with a slight variation in thickness, especially on one of the ends. The inner circumference is quite round, but rather irregular and almost squared off along the perimeter. The central perforation is polished and there is a thin ridge located about mid-way. The polished jade is of a creamy beige colour, with rust-coloured, greyish, blackish and brownish areas and various striations of white that create an almost marble-like quality.

There are two areas along the edge of one of the collars that were broken and smoothed down during the carving process, as well as some nicks and chips on the inside collar, and another rougher area where a corner has broken off.

Literature comparison/Archaeological sites: Cong decorated with simplified anthropomorphic masks were predominantly carved during the late phase of the Liangzhu culture and have been found mostly in sites in Jiangsu province. In terms of material, quality of carving and number of registers, this cong can be compared to similar ones from the Sidun (Wuxin county) and Caoxieshan (Wu county) sites, reproduced in Zhejiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology 浙江省文物考古研究所, Liangzhu wenhua yuqi 良渚文化玉器 (Jades of the Liangzhu Culture), Wenwu chubanshe, Beijing 1990, nos.49-52.

Expertise: Prof. Dr. Filippo Salviati

From an Austrian collection奧地利老佔有

All jades in this catalogue have been professionally examined, authenticated and described by Prof. Fillipo 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.