Carved jade ‘Gui’ ceremonial blade, Shang Dynasty

Ceremonial gui or ‘圭板’ blade carved from greyish-green jade, with a satin-finished surface due to erosion and natural ageing. The piece has a trapezoidal body with a slightly convex distal edge and a curved proximal end, topped by a decorated tongue. This section has a circular perforation for attachment or suspension, as well as fine incisions with vegetal or archaic motifs on both sides, flanked by vertical bands in relief and curvilinear finials in the form of scrolls. Ritual objects of this type were used in ceremonies of a symbolic nature during the period of the ancient kingdoms. Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BC) or later.

Size: 39.5 x 0.4 x 6.5 cm

Weight: 249 g

Provenance:

· Collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, from 1980