China, 475-221 BC. Of trapezoid form, finely worked and incised with C-scrolls above an animal mask with large oval eyes below bushy eyebrows and with a wide snout. The upper side pierced with a small aperture for suspension. The stone of a pale celadon tone with ivory-colored alterations on the surface.

Provenance: U.S. collection. The authentication of this piece was conducted by Senior Fellow Gu Fang of the Institute of Archeology Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) on 18 July 2017, number 74718-12143, described as ‘Jade pendant with animal face design’, dated to the Warring states period (475-221 BC), 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. Signs of weathering and erosion, soil encrustations, remnants of red pigments, nicks, and scratches.
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: 63.8 g
Dimensions: Length 5.9 cm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 25 November 2022, lot 456
Price: HKD 44,100 or approx. EUR 5,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A jade fragment, Warring States period
Expert remark: Compare the related form, color of the jade, animal mask motif to the lower half, and size (6 cm). Note the fragment is only decorated to one side and mounted in a gold belt buckle.