X-RARE Ancient Chinese Black Magnetic Jade Dragon Talisman/Amulet w/Translation

Description

ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Artifacts, Antiques & Fine Collect
i
bles
Neolithic Chinese Black Jade Dragon Amulet
c.
Hongshan Culture
4500 BC--2250 BC
English Translation of Chinese Characters!
“A Dragon can be unseen or visible, minute or huge,
long or short.  However, always it is great.”
—Shuo Wen (c. 100 AD)
SUMMARY
This small, Neolithic Chinese Dragon Amulet is made of Nephrite Black Jade that has magnetic properties and weighs about 1.7oz. (49 grams) and measures approximately 2.33” (59 mm) tall x 2.16” (55 mm) wide x .55” (14 mm) thick.
This lovely amulet contains over 20 ancient, Chinese pictographic characters that have been incorporated into the design of this amulet and incised or pecked with percussive blows on the surface of the amulet.
These pictographic figures or “graphics” are very small—some less than 1 mm tall—and are in the earliest Chinese written language.
This type of iron rich, magnetic, black jade was used by artisans only to create special ceremonial items for the emperor or royal/upper warrior classes in ancient China.
The amulet has magnetic properties when passed over a compass.
One can imagine the difficulty in making such a vivid dragon during that time given the hardness of jade stone as the medium.
It was made during the Hongshan Culture of ancient China about 4,000 years ago!
I Guarantee it to be authentic and original!
It will appraise as such by any ancient Chinese expert collector or museum curator.
The shape of the black jade amulet is that of a coiled “J-shaped Dragon.”
With its coiled tail and gapping jaws, this jade carving of a Dragon was probably used as an amulet or talisman, protecting its wearer from harm and danger.
In Chinese society, a dragon is believed to be the incarnation of Yan Emperor, a legendary ancient Chinese ruler in pre-dynastic times, and hence Chinese people call themselves “the descendants of dragons.”
The Dragon was a popular motif used by the emperors and Chinese nobility in the past.
In Chinese society, jade is prized for its hardness and durability. In particular, it is associated with Chinese conceptions of the soul and immortality due to its subtle and translucent colors.
It was also used for ceremonial and ritual purposes in royal tombs and temples.
The stylistic design of this Neolithic jade Dragon foreshadows the more modern-looking Chinese dragons.
Both sides of this amulet are incised with the image of a powerful Dragon.
There are other ancient Chinese characters incised on both sides of this amulet that tell us more details about this offering to the Ancestors!
See below for details.
In ancient China, this black jade amulet would have been placed in the tomb or temple of the departed by his family, along with an offering of wine and meat.
This offering would also help to protect him or her from evil spirits on his journey to the afterlife and to allow him/her to enter Heaven (
Ti’en
).  It would also show the ancestors and spirits that he was a wealthy and honorable person and that he had Mandarins that could speak to the Heavens for him.
Details:
This very early Dragon amulet is one of the few examples that has several, engraved Chinese characters (pictographs) in low relief.
It has a wonderful, natural, ancient patina!
It has two sets of suspension holes. The one set on the head of the dragon amulet are classified as "double-bevel holes" by anthropologists (see photos # 2, 4, 12).  While another set of holes on the back of the dragon are classified as “ox-nose holes.”
These holes were made so a person could attach the pendant around his/her neck or to their waist.  Each of the holes is round and was drilled by hand with a slow-speed drill.  They are period correct and show the growth of tiny
micro-crystals of jade
inside the bore holes that can only happen after a piece of carved jade has been buried for thousands of years.  These tiny crystals almost look like white powder and should never be cleaned off or removed.
{REF: "
JADE
" by Roger Keverne, pg. 57. This is an excellent reference book and used copies can be found on eBay at a greatly reduced price.}
TRANSLATION
This lovely amulet contains at least 20 ancient, Chinese pictographic characters that have been incorporated into the design of this amulet and incised on the surface of the amulet.
These pictographic figures or “graphics” are the earliest Chinese written language.
There are over 20 very small characters inscribed or pecked into the jade head of the dragon, including inside the dragons ears and open jaws and on top of his head!
They are in very shallow relief (some only 1 mm tall) and the natural weathering of the jade and the growth of white, micro-crystals of jade from its burial in the earth for about 4,000-years makes it difficult to translate the characters.
I can read and provide a translation for the following characters:
·
The character for a dragon (a 12 mm Dragon, see photos # 5 & 9).
·
Speaking, man, and ancestor (see photo # 6)
·
The son offering to this father and ancestors is shown in an ethereal shape, which is his being raptured and transported mentally in the presence of his Ancestors, by his filial love and desire to please them.
(Photos # 2, 4, and 10-12 at 50x magnification)
·
Younger grandsons (that are drawn like frogs and too young to stand upright) are depicted crawling between the legs of their father.
Adding two parallel line “=” to these figures does not mean two, but is instead meant to mean “all of them” or “as many as there are.”
·
The number ten.
·
And at least 15 other pictographs/characters that are too small for me to decipher.
Jade was highly prized by these early civilizations in China and it was thought to have positive energy to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck and fortune to all who wore a piece on their person--in life and in death. Jade was also believed to be a portal or messenger that could carry prayers to Heaven and send messages to those on Earth from departed ancestors and Gods in Heaven.
This ancient Dragon Amulet is a fine work of art and it is truly a museum quality piece of great historical significance.
Its beauty and attention to detail is remarkable!
REFERENCES:
The Great Bronze Age of China
:
An Exhibition from the People’s Republic of China
, edited by Wen Fong, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1980.
Stephen Payne, "
How to Purchase Archaic Jade
"
Ancient Chinese Warfare
, Ralph D. Sawyer, Mei-chün Sawyer
Archaeology
, Archaeological Institute of America, Feb/March 2015
Shanghai Museum, Hongshan Culture
British Museum, Hongshan Culture
National Palace Museum
MET, Hongshan Culture, NYC
Please examine the photos, some taken at 50x macro carefully as they are part of the description.
The stand and digital caliper are not part of the auction, just included to give you a better perspective.
And please ask any questions before you buy.
Thank You!
Note:
Please ask any questions you may have before you bid!
Thanks for Looking!
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THANKS!
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PRICE & VALUE
This X-RARE Jade Dragon Amulet has an auction appraisal of 0,000 to 0,000 USD!!
On November 29, 2017, one of the best known international auction houses sold in Hong Kong 87 Chinese Archaic Jades that totaled US million, which was seven times the low pre-auction estimate.
And none of the archaic jades had the extensive inscribed characters on them or the Snake motif.
I have carefully examined this ancient jade amulet and I GUARANTEE it to be 100% original and authentic or your money back! I’ve looked under 50x magnification under both natural and Black Light and I can find no signs of any modern tool work or repairs. The hand tool marks left in the jade by the master stone artist who carved, shaped, and incised this work of art appear to be consistent with those marks of other ancient jades I have examined.
Each object I sell is professionally researched, translated (if I can...(smile), and compared with similar objects in the collections of the finest museums in the world. I have been dealing in fine antiquities for over 45 years and although certainly not an expert in every field, I have been honored to appraise, buy, collect, and enjoy and recently sell some of the finest ancient art in the world. When in doubt, I have worked with dozens of subject matter experts to determine the condition and authenticity of numerous antiquities and antiques. This careful examination helps to insure you are buying quality items and helps to protect your investment. There are many modern reproductions or "fakes" on the market today, so be sure and buy only from experts in the field.
Note: For reference on how to purchase authentic archaic jade, may I refer you to an excellent book published in 2009 by Stephen Payne called "
How to Purchase Archaic Jade
." He shows in great detail how the experts determine the age and date of ancient Chinese Jade. This book is well worth the price if you are just starting your collection or if you are a seasoned expert and can be purchased on eBay.
International Buyers may have additional, shipping charges, import duties and/or taxes that are the responsibility of the Buyer.