Throckmorton Fine Art
Timed Auction

Liangzhu: Ritual Objects at the Dawn of China’s Jade Age

Thu, May 19, 2022 12:00AM EDT - Fri, Jun 3, 2022 05:00PM EDT
Lot 27

Cong (Ts'ung) Prismatic Cylinder with Animal Mask Engraving, Late Neolithic Period, Liangzhu Culture (3200 - 2300 BCE)

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $25
$2,000 $50
$5,000 $100
Jade, H: 1 5/8 in W: 3 in. D: 3 in.

Condition

This small sculptural work is called cong and is cosmetically amber colored with pale blue/white inclusions. The structure of this work is that of a squared cylinder with four identical low-relief panels carved into each of its corners. These corners create a square if viewed from above. The identical images carved into each corner are animal faces which are characterized by their oval eye sockets that are open at their bottom edges flowing into the animal's nose ridge. The mouth is a closed, rounded rectangle. The condition of this work is very good despite some scratches and a visible crack along its outer wall. This object DOES NOT have a display base.