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† AN IVORY COLORED JADE AXE, YUE, LIANGZHU CULTURE
LOT 131 - FAS0624
China, circa 3300-2200 BC. The broad axe flares towards the curved cutting edge, and the butt end drilled from both sides with a circular aperture. The stone fully calcified and of a warm ivory color with few russet areas.
Provenance: U.S. collection. The stand with an inscribed label and two collection numbers ‘20’ and ‘60503 641’. The authentication of this piece was conducted by Senior Fellow Gu Fang of the Institute of Archeology Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) on 16 July 2006, number 641, described as ‘Jade Ax’, dated to the Neolithic period, signed by Gu Fang, and notarized by Notary Noreen J. Lowery, New York. Gu Fang, born 1962 in Beijing, graduated from the Department of Archeology of the prestigious Beijing University in 1986. He later studied at the CASS where he is now working as a Senior Fellow specializing in Archeological excavations and research on Chinese Jades. Gu Fang authored several books on Chinese jades including 15 volumes on ‘The Complete Collection of Jades Unearthed in China’, one of the largest collections of Chinese jades to date.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, obvious losses, signs of weathering and erosion. The stone with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks over time. The stone with a smooth polish.
External Expert Authentication: A copy of the authentication report from Senior Fellow Gu Fang of the Institute of Archeology Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) accompanies this lot and will be transmitted to the winning bidder.
Weight: 243.1 g
Dimensions: Length 16.2 cm
Mounted to a modern metal stand. (2)
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 March 2015, lot 488
Price: USD 35,000 or approx. EUR 43,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An opaque ivory-colored jade axe, China, Neolithic period, Liangzhu culture, 3rd millennium BC
Expert remark: Compare the related form and color. Note the smaller size (12.3 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 March 2015, lot 534
Price: USD 22,500 or approx. EUR 27,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An ivory-colored opaque jade axe, southeast China, Neolithic period, 3rd millennium BC
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and color. Note the smaller size (13 cm).
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