ARCHAIC DISHES MADE OF CALCIFIED NEPHRITE JADE CALLED "CHICKEN BONE", GU
China, Presumably Ming Dynasty
Heavy. It rests on a compact, almost cubic base with a hole at the bottom, probably for nesting in a pedestal. With parallelepipedal central node. With a phoenix-tail collar. Three rows of vertical edges on each side. Incised decoration: stylised palm leaves at the neck; Taoity masks at the central node. All in imitation of a ritual bronze dish from a funeral banquet of the Shang Dynasty in a spirit known as "guyi". Old handwritten label on the underside (minor chips and lacks, foot appears to have been partly hollowed out with a saw).
H: 19.3 cm - Side: 6.4 cm
Approximate weight: 1358 grams

A CHICKEN-BONE JADE ARCHAISTIC VESSEL, GU
China, Probably Ming Dynasty.