Carved white jade bead, Eastern Han dynasty

Tubular jade bead or pendant, of the dzi type. The spindle-shaped piece is carved from creamy white jade with orange veins. Its entire surface is decorated in fine bas-relief with the “grain pattern” or guwen, with small spiral scrolls. The piece is perforated lengthwise.

Length: 7.5 cm. Diameter: 1.2 cm

Weight: 30.6 g

Provenance:

· Tommy Lam Collection, Hong Kong, since 1980.

Catalog note:

A similar piece is part of the Harvard Art Museums Collection, USA.