Chinese carved jade decorative sword guard. Of a pale jade with finely incised curling lines. Possibly emulating a taotie mask. Included in this auction is a box designed to hold this jade as well as a collection of 22 other lovely carved works also offered here. Provenance: Collection of Jerry O'Brien, Wichita, Kansas; thence by descent. Jerry O'Brien (February 6, 1902-June 2, 1951) was a business mogul and public figure in Wichita, Kansas throughout the first half of the 20th century. He began working at Wilcoxon-Searcy before founding his own joint venture, the Roberts-O'Brien Company, in 1930 at the age of 28. During World War II he manufactured airplane parts and, by 1941, had opened up a company in his own name, the Jerry O'Brien Company. Throughout the 1940s he manufactured car awnings under the name Weather Master Car Awning Company. During this time he also served on numerous public and private committees. He died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 49 on June 2, 1951. During his life he collected these excellent jades and assembled them in the silk box offered in this sale. Reference: The Wichita Eagle: December 7, 1930, page 8; June 15, 1941, page 12; June 4, 1951, page 10; June 9, 1951, page 9. The Wichita Beacon: September 24, 1931, page 8; June 19, 1941, page 18; January 3, 1946, page 1; April 18, 1946, page 20; June 5, 1951, page 6. *Newspaper clippings not included with this lot* Length: 2 1/4 in x width: 5/8 in x depth: 5/8 in. Weight: 13.51 g.