A SWORD CHAPE, WARRING STATES PERIOD TO EARLY WESTERN HAN DYNASTY

A SWORD CHAPE, WARRING STATES PERIOD TO EARLY WESTERN HAN DYNASTY China, 3rd-2nd century BC. Of lenticular section, finely carved to one side with a sinuous chilong with furcated tail and to the other with angular scroll. The completely opaque stone is of a deep celadon tone with russet and cloudy inclusions as well as distinct areas of calcification. Provenance: Austrian private collection. Condition: Fair condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear, weathering and erosion, nicks, and minor chips which have smoothened over time. The stone with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks. Because of the extent of calcification, the hardness of the stone has degraded significantly. For this reason, the exact type of stone cannot be determined. Weight: 52.6 g Dimensions: Length 4.8 cm Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 17 March 2007, lot 920 Price: USD 12,500 or approx. EUR 17,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A pale greyish-green jade scabbard chape, Warring states period-early Western Han dynasty, 3rd-2nd century BC Expert remark: Compare the related form, manner of carving, and color of the stone. Note the size (5.6 cm)