Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries


Visitors' Forum

Asian Art  Forums - Detail List
Asian Art Forums

Message Listing by Date:
Message Index | Back | Post a New Message | Search | Private Mail | FAQ
Subject:Chinese jade belt-hook with Chilong & Lingzhi
Posted By: Bill H Fri, Nov 15, 2019 IP: 2601:342:200:6e70:1d

I bought this 5.5 inch-long belt-hook from one of my A-list eBay dealers last week and am rather confident in its description as jadeite carved circa late-Qing to Republic era, seeing as how the write-up came from a figure respected around this forum. However, just to dispense with the inevitable question, I did test the surface with a carbon steel point, which found nothing more than what I believe to be some pitting of the button from the polishing process (see last photo below). The piece had been rubbed with what looks like a combination of soot, dirt and linseed oil, which proved resistant to my household liquid grease-cutter, scrubbed on with an old toothbrush (not that I don't like the highlighting of carved features, I just prefer something sterile of my own making).

Anyway, while all comments are welcome, my main interest at the moment, besides replacing the grunge, is whether anyone can tell whether the green color seen in the piece is dye or might be natural.

Thanks much,

Bill H.







Subject:Re: Chinese jade belt-hook with Chilong & Lingzhi
Posted By: Mark Adams Sat, Nov 16, 2019

Hi Bill
In my opinion your jadeite jade buckle is a natural untreated color.
Dyed/treated jadeite jade tends to have an unnatural look to them often with light spotting.Your piece has shading of green not seen with dyes etc.
I also believe based on the carving style that said date is probable to the early republic period.
Moss in snow jadeite was highly sought after and popular during the late Qing period through to the 1920's.
Mark@imperial

Subject:Re: Chinese jade belt-hook with Chilong & Lingzhi
Posted By: Bill H Sat, Nov 16, 2019

Much obliged for your sharing of expertise, Mark.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Subject:Re: Chinese jade belt-hook with Chilong & Lingzhi
Posted By: Mark Adams Sun, Nov 17, 2019

I forgot to post a simple test for jadeite jade using a long wave UV light.
Natural jadeite will not fluorescent under UV. Treated will show a strong light under UV.
However this test is only an indication and hence not definitive. But still a good test.
mark@imperial

Subject:Re: Chinese jade belt-hook with Chilong & Lingzhi
Posted By: Bill H Mon, Nov 18, 2019

Thanks again, Mark. The belt-hook passed the UV test as well. As a control, I used a snuff bottle cap that was an unnatural chartreuse to begin with. It lit up like a green traffic light at midnight. Not a glimmer from the belt-hook.

Much obliged,

Bill H


Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries |