Black hardstone pendant or ornament - model of a Bixie
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Directory: Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Pre 1492: Item # 1075125
Directory: Archives: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Pre 1492: Item # 1075125
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Han style primitive but good model of a Bixie with piercings behind the head, behind fanged teeth, and within the hind legs or tail seem intended for mounting securely as a pendant or fashion accouterment (the neckline appearing suited as a guide for silk cord.) Well carved relief features for eyes, brows, snout and bite. The forefeet and tail with incised features and the tail folded under where subtly ribbed. The double tipped wings in slight relief with incised border. The jowls and chest with arched lines to suggest musculature. 'C' scrolls suggesting fur and elevate atop the head to suggest a mane. Cross hatching suggesting feathers on the wing and underside. This appears to be black nephrite and is not scratched by surgical steel. Collected in trade in the mid 90's from a very active trader and held closely since. We shared it only once with a prominent Hong Kong dealer who was visiting our gallery (the year Hong Kong was returned to China) and who unexpectedly spent much time examining this object. We are very reserved in judging and describing jades - archaic looking jades in particular. While this model is very persuasive and (also given the functional piercings) holds our confidence, we will nonetheless refer to it as "archaistic" and conservatively date it and value it. Good condition. Please Note: Our larger illustrations exceed actual size. We try to approximate actual size with our last (eighth) enlargement. Length from snout to tail is 3 inches (7.62cm). Length from forefeet to tail is 2 1/2 inches (6.35cm). Highest point is 2 3/4 inches (7cm)