Lot 323: A CARVED PALE CELADON JADE ARCHAISTIC AXE-FORM PENDANT

A carved jade pendant of shield-like form, fashioned from a stone of an even pale celadon tone with a soft waxy lustre. The central rectangular section is decorated in low relief with a stylised taotie zoomorphic mask beneath a horizontal band of incised cross-hatched triangles. The central panel is framed by intricate openwork carving depicting scrolling dragon or phoenix motifs. The top of the pendant is surmounted by two addorsed dragon heads with scrolled snouts, flanking a central pierced aperture for suspension. The lower edge is finished with a smooth, polished convex bevel, resembling an archaic axe head (yue). This piece is an example of archaistic jade carving, likely dating to the 19th or 20th Century, emulating the forms and motifs of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD).

L: 5cm