17th Oct, 2024 11:00
TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism
100
A ‘TAOTIE’ CYLINDRICAL JADE BEAD, LATE SHANG TO EARLY WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY
Sold for €2,456
including Buyer's Premium
China, c. 13th-11th century BC. Of cong form with circular rims and rounded rectangular sides, boldly carved in thread relief to each side with a horizontal taotie mask, its large eyes set beneath curling brows. The bead with a central aperture for suspension.
The semi-translucent jade is of a celadon hue with dark gray and brown inclusions, russet veining, and creamy patches of opaque calcification.
Provenance: From the collection of David Taylor (1876-1958), passed down through the Taylor family to his descendants. David Taylor (1876-1958), a prominent British businessman based in Belfast, owned several commercial properties and a substantial portfolio of stocks and shares. During his travels to East Asia in the early 20th century, he acquired numerous jades, including the present lot. His grandfather, Sir David Taylor (1815-1904), was born in Perth, Scotland, and relocated to Belfast in 1842, where he served as mayor in 1867, and again in 1883 and 1884.
Condition: Superb condition, commensurate with age. Ancient wear, signs of weathering and erosion, soil encrustations along the interior indicating a prolonged period of burial, and few tiny nibbles. The jade with natural fissures, some of which have developed into small hairline cracks.
Weight: 59.4 g
Dimensions: Length 5.5 cm
Literature comparison:
Compare a related jade cylindrical bead dated to the Western Zhou dynasty in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, record number BATEA : 434. Compare a related jade tubular bead with similar taotie design in thread relief, dated ca. 1300-1050 BC in the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, accession number S2012.9.427.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s London, 8 December 2022, lot 156
Price: GBP 138,600 or approx. EUR 198,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A cylindrical jade ‘taotie’ bead, Shang dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of carving and motif with a similar taotie mask in thread-relief. Note the different bead form and the smaller size (3.8 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s London, 3 November 2020, lot 9
Price: GBP 137,500 or approx. EUR 213,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare dark grey-green jade bead, late Shang dynasty, circa 1200 BC
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of carving and motif with a similar taotie mask in thread-relief. Note the different bead form and the much smaller size (3.3 cm).
China, c. 13th-11th century BC. Of cong form with circular rims and rounded rectangular sides, boldly carved in thread relief to each side with a horizontal taotie mask, its large eyes set beneath curling brows. The bead with a central aperture for suspension.
The semi-translucent jade is of a celadon hue with dark gray and brown inclusions, russet veining, and creamy patches of opaque calcification.
Provenance: From the collection of David Taylor (1876-1958), passed down through the Taylor family to his descendants. David Taylor (1876-1958), a prominent British businessman based in Belfast, owned several commercial properties and a substantial portfolio of stocks and shares. During his travels to East Asia in the early 20th century, he acquired numerous jades, including the present lot. His grandfather, Sir David Taylor (1815-1904), was born in Perth, Scotland, and relocated to Belfast in 1842, where he served as mayor in 1867, and again in 1883 and 1884.
Condition: Superb condition, commensurate with age. Ancient wear, signs of weathering and erosion, soil encrustations along the interior indicating a prolonged period of burial, and few tiny nibbles. The jade with natural fissures, some of which have developed into small hairline cracks.
Weight: 59.4 g
Dimensions: Length 5.5 cm
Literature comparison:
Compare a related jade cylindrical bead dated to the Western Zhou dynasty in the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, record number BATEA : 434. Compare a related jade tubular bead with similar taotie design in thread relief, dated ca. 1300-1050 BC in the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, accession number S2012.9.427.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s London, 8 December 2022, lot 156
Price: GBP 138,600 or approx. EUR 198,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A cylindrical jade ‘taotie’ bead, Shang dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of carving and motif with a similar taotie mask in thread-relief. Note the different bead form and the smaller size (3.8 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s London, 3 November 2020, lot 9
Price: GBP 137,500 or approx. EUR 213,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare dark grey-green jade bead, late Shang dynasty, circa 1200 BC
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of carving and motif with a similar taotie mask in thread-relief. Note the different bead form and the much smaller size (3.3 cm).
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