Carved jade figure ‘Bird’, Hongshan culture

Olive green jade with an intense patina in reddish, ochre and grey tones covering much of its surface. The piece depicts a stylised bird in an archaic style, with large wings with elongated feathers, a slender neck and an upright head with large eyes. The details were created using fine incised lines and subtle reliefs. On the reverse, there are four perforations for ritual suspension. With marks of natural wear that show its great age. Hongshan culture (approx. 4000–3000 BC) or later.

Size: 8.7 x 2.7 x 15.8 cm

Weight: 518 g

Provenance:

· Collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, since 1980.