X-RARE Chinese Immortality Jade Axe! Hongshan with Pictographs & Translation!!

Description

ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Artifacts, Antiques & Fine Collect
i
bles
Ancient Neolithic Ritual Chinese Jade Axe
Immortality Jade Ancestor, Heaven & Dragon Amulet
c.
Hongshan Culture
4500 BC--2250 BC
Original & Authentic
with
English Translation of the Chinese Pictographs
“In the Presence of My Ancestors, I the Son Offer
These Precious Gifts of Meat, Wine, and Jade to My Ancestors in Heaven”
~English Translation Provided by ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
SUMMARY
This ancient, ritual Chinese Heaven/Axe is made of pure, Nephrite Jade that weighs about 2.5 oz. (71 grams).
It has turned a wonderful shade of dark brown with burnt orange highlights from the iron in the soil after being buried for over 5,000 years!
This small, immortality jade axe measures
approximately 2.20” (56 mm) in width x 2.75” (70 mm) tall x .53” (13 mm) thick.
The four-sided shape of this jade axe represents Earth, while the center hole symbolizes Heaven (
Ti’en
).
This ancient jade amulet is in the shape of a symbolic, ritual axe, with a single large hole in the center that symbolizes Heaven, which can also be translated as “
Immortality
.”
Note the radiating lines etched around the center hole that symbolize the Sun’s rays!
AMAZING!!
The shape of the ritual axe and the Dragon that is etched into both sides of the top spur were thought to scare away Evil Spirits.
These Evil Spirits were thought to lurk everywhere and could prevent the soul of man from reaching immortality and his Ancestors in Heaven.
Evil Spirits were thought to attack both the front and especially from behind, so that is why the protective Dragon is on the back side of the axe.
Very clever!
{see photo # 2}
On the front side (obverse) of the axe and even inside the center hole, are several ancient Chinese pictographs (characters) carved into the stone in low relief that I have translated below into English—see details below.
These pictographs are EXTERMELY RARE and GREATLY increase the historic and monetary value of this jade axe!
These characters are carved in the earliest Chinese script that was used before Seal Script was used starting about 2,500 BC.
My translation of these graphics confirms that the Son of the deceased offers precious gifts of meat, wine, and jade on behalf of his father to their Ancestors in Heaven.
In ancient China, this jade amulet was an offering to the gods and ancestors in Heaven, and it was thought to be able to carry safely the spirit of the deceased to Heaven (
Ti’en
in Chinese) and immortality.
Jade was thought to represent Heaven and was considered more precious than gold in ancient China.
Chinese experts estimate that it was made during the late Hongshan Culture (4500 BC—2250 BC) of ancient China about 4,000 years-ago!
I Guarantee it to be authentic and original!
DETAILS
The amulet measures about 2.20” (56 mm) in width x 2.75” (70 mm) tall x .53” (13 mm) thick
.
Although heavily pitted, it has a wonderful ancient patina from the iron that has been absorbed into the once green jade after being buried in damp soil for over 4,000 years.
This iron in the soil has turned this jade amulet to a wonderful color of saddle-brown with burnt-orange accents!
WOW!!
It is a very early example and is one of the few examples that has several ancient Chinese characters (pictographs) in low relief carved into both sides of the amulet and even inside the center hole!
As stated above, the large, center hole (.64” or 16 mm inside diameter) represents Heaven (
Ti’en
).
Inside the hole, there are four tiny pictographs (< 5 mm) have been etched into the jade for eternity to symbolize the offerings presented on behalf of the deceased to safely raise his spirit to eternal life with the Heavenly Ancestors:
·
One pictograph appears to be that of the son of the deceased with his hands raised in prayer to the Ancestors in Heaven.
{see photo # 10}
·
There are several, tiny parallel lines that symbolize the sun or Heavens on either side of a very small, 2 mm raised dot, which likely represents the Spirit of the deceased as it is transported to eternity in the Heavens/Sun. {see photo # 11}
·
The final compound character is that of raw meat and wine that is being sacrificed to the Ancestors in Heaven.
{see photo # 12}
The center hole as drilled by hand from each side with a slow-speed drill.
The holes are period correct and show the growth of tiny micro-crystals of jade inside the bore holes and on the all the surfaces of the amulet.
This chemical reaction can only happen after a piece of carved jade has been buried for thousands of years in damp soil.
These tiny crystals almost look like white powder and should never be cleaned off or removed as they attest to the authenticity of the piece.
{REF: "
JADE
" by Roger Keverne, pg. 57. This is an excellent reference book that can often be found on eBay at a greatly reduced price.}
In ancient China, this amulet would have been placed in the temple of the departed by his family (usually his son) to protect him or her from evil spirits on his journey to the afterlife and to allow him/her to enter Heaven.
It would also show the ancestors and spirits that he was a wealthy and honorable person whose “perfect work” would allow him immortality in Heaven.
TRANSLATION
This lovely amulet contains several ancient, Chinese pictographic characters that have been carved in low relief and incorporated into the design of this amulet.
I have been able to read and translate the larger characters, but the smaller ones have been obscured by the extensive pitting and weathering this jade amulet suffered when it was buried in the damp earth over 5,000-years-ago.
The pictographs etched on the surface of the axe are similar to the ones etched on the inside of the hole that I translated in the above paragraphs.
All these characters represents the power of jade and of the amulet to transport the soul of the departed safely from Earth to the Heavens and eternal life.
It is meant to confirm to the gods and ancestors in Heaven that the person who wears this amulet and presents it with his soul to Heaven has achieved success on Earth and should be granted immorality in Heaven.
On the front side of the pendant are at least four compound Chinese characters.
{see photos # 4-6}
Some of these very early pictographic characters are difficult for me to read and translate, but here is my best transcription:
·
The first one on the upper right with a “H” shaped character can be translated as “
in the presence of my Ancestors.
”
It is shaped like the imprint of the ancestor’s heal in sand.
·
The second character is that of a tiny stick figure of a man with his arm raised to the Heavens (
Ti’en
). It denotes the son of the deceased offering of this Jade Axe and to his ancestors.
It would have been presented to the ancestors at the entrance to the temple.
·
Below the stick figure of the son, are the compound characters of a right hand offering the Ancestors the smell of cooked meat as it ascends skyward towards Heaven.
·
And the last character below it shaped like the letter “Z” symbolizes the poured libation of sacrificial wine as it is poured onto grass that is tied into a bundle.
After the conclusion of the ceremony, the grass would be burned to again raise the smoky offering to the Ancestors in Heaven.
·
Note the radiating lines etched around the center hole that symbolize the Sun’s rays!
·
There also appears to be the pictographic image of a dragon in hammered dimples into the top part of the jade axe.
Dragons were thought to scare away evil spirits and allow the spirit of the deceased to safely travel to the Heavens and to eternal life.
In front of the dragon is again the pictograph of the spirit of the deceased ascending into Heaven. {see photo # 2}
·
It appears that along with the wine and meat, this lovely jade axe was also considered part of the gifts that the Son has offered to the ancestors in Heaven on behalf of his deceased Father.
Therefore, my literal translation of this precious, jade axe is as follows:
“In the Presence of My Ancestors, I the Son Offer
These Precious Gifts of Meat, Wine, and Jade to My Ancestors in Heaven”
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 amulet is a fine work of art and it is truly a museum quality study piece of great historical significance.
Because of its cultural significance, it is highly recommended that this item be for display only.
Condition
As noted above, although this jade offering is heavily pitted and shows signs of differential weathering, it has a wonderful ancient patina.
It has not been repaired or restored and is in “as found” condition.
The hole has been drilled by ancient hand tools at low RPM from both sides of the amulet--see 4x macro photos.  These are period correct and have a wonderful layer of calcium and micro-crystalline jade inside the bore holes—just perfect.
I have examined this piece under 10x magnification and it shows no signs of modern tool marks--only hand tools were used to make this amulet.
It has been cut, carved, shaped, and drilled with ancient hand tools.
I also examined it under Black Light and found no signs of repairs or modern carving.
Modern drills would have drilled the hole straight and true--and not larger on the outer edge of the hole.
Thus, these ancient, drilled holes are another sign that this amulet is original and authentic.
Price & Value
I have carefully examined this ancient jade axe and I
GUARANTEE
it to be 100% original and authentic or your money back!
I’ve looked under 10x 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 engrave 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.
Please examine the photos taken at 4x macro carefully as they are part of the description.
The stand and AA battery are not part of the auction, just included to give you a better perspective.
And please ask any questions before you buy.
I
GUARANTEE
this statue is ancient and authentic or your money back!
Note:
Please ask any questions you may have before you bid!  Thanks for Looking!
Per e-Bay's rules, PayPal only please!
THANKS!
FREE SHIPPING includes INSURANCE for all 50 United States.