ARCHAIC TABLEWARE MADE OF CALCIFIED NEPHRITE JADE KNOWN AS "CHICKEN BONE", GU
China, Ming Dynasty in Qing
Heavy. Mounted on a compact and almost cubic base, with a hole in the bottom, probably for fitting into a base. With a central parallelepipedic node. With a phoenix tail collar. Three rows of vertical edges on each side. Incised decoration: stylized palm leaves at the collar; taoity masks at the central node. All this in imitation of a ritual bronze tableware from the funeral banquet of the Shang Dynasty in a spirit called "guyi". Old handwritten label underneath (minor chips and missing parts, foot appears to have been partially dug with a saw).
H: 19.3 cm - Side: 6.4 cm
Approximate weight: 1358 grams
Provenance: Reputed to come from the Raufast Collection

A CHICKEN-BONE JADE ARCHAISTIC VESSEL, GU
China, Ming to Qing Dynasty