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Description

A JADE TONGUE AMULET IN THE FORM OF A CICADA, HAN DYNASTY A JADE TONGUE AMULET IN THE FORM OF A CICADA, HAN DYNASTY China, 206 BC to 220 AD. Of flattened form, skillfully modelled in the form of a stylized cicada with protruding eyes and elongated wings, decorated on both sides with incised details. The stone of pale creamy-white color with beige inclusions, as well as traces of calcification. Provenance: A private collection in France. Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Signs of weathering and erosion. Weight: 13.4 g Dimensions: Length 5.4 cm Cicada’s unusual long lifecycle as an insect has made it a popular subject in ancient Chinese jades, symbolizing rebirth and immortality. The Chinese believed that jade had the special power to preserve the body from natural decay after death. In the Han dynasty, the corpse’s nine orifices were plugged with jade. The cicada was placed on the tongue, plaques covered the eyes and plugs filled the nose and ears. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related jade cicada, dated to the Han dynasty, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 30.120.135. Compare a closely related jade funerary tongue amulet cicada in the collection of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Bonhams Los Angeles, 14 December 2020, lot 415 Price: USD 2,040 or approx. EUR 2,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A white jade cicada carving, Han dynasty Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and similar incisions and protruding eyes. Note the similar size (5.6 cm).

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A JADE TONGUE AMULET IN THE FORM OF A CICADA, HAN DYNASTY A JADE TONGUE AMULET IN THE FORM OF A CICADA, HAN DYNASTY China, 206 BC to 220 AD. Of flattened form, skillfully modelled in the form of a stylized cicada with protruding eyes and elongated wings, decorated on both sides with incised details. The stone of pale creamy-white color with beige inclusions, as well as traces of calcification. Provenance: A private collection in France. Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Signs of weathering and erosion. Weight: 13.4 g Dimensions: Length 5.4 cm Cicada’s unusual long lifecycle as an insect has made it a popular subject in ancient Chinese jades, symbolizing rebirth and immortality. The Chinese believed that jade had the special power to preserve the body from natural decay after death. In the Han dynasty, the corpse’s nine orifices were plugged with jade. The cicada was placed on the tongue, plaques covered the eyes and plugs filled the nose and ears. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related jade cicada, dated to the Han dynasty, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 30.120.135. Compare a closely related jade funerary tongue amulet cicada in the collection of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Bonhams Los Angeles, 14 December 2020, lot 415 Price: USD 2,040 or approx. EUR 2,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A white jade cicada carving, Han dynasty Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and similar incisions and protruding eyes. Note the similar size (5.6 cm).

Estimate 700 - 1 400 EUR
Starting price 700 EUR

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For sale on Thursday 05 Sep : 11:00 (CEST)
vienna, Austria
Galerie Zacke
+4315320452
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