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:Hongshan Jade Artifacts
Posted By: John Tue, Aug 05, 2014 IP: 184.18.58.219

I have a small antique & collectibles store, it's true when we say, you never know what might come through the door. I've recently purchased some jade items from a local resident, who's deceased father was a collector of different artifacts for many years. After much investigation, I have come to the personal conclusion that these items are Nephrite Jade of the Hongshan Culture, from Liaoning Providence , ca3500-2000 BC, also there is one possible Shui Jing quartz crystal cup or bowl. I would like to confirm my belief, I hope these pictures are suitable for your judgement. Any information you might be able to give me would be much appreciated. Thank you for any help you may give.
John



Subject:Re: Hongshan Jade Artifacts
Posted By: Jac Tue, Aug 05, 2014

Hi John,

What I see from the single photo is the upside down image of two C shaped dragons, joined at the mouth and tail, suggesting that this pair of ancient dragons are kissing and perhaps mating. Not sure adult or baby couples, as I do not know the size.

One archaic jade collector with 15 years experience said that there are no female dragons, only male. If this is true, what you have is a pair of kissing/mating male dragons, which I believed would not be acceptable to an ancient Hongshan Culture tribe, as a totem that they worship.

I believed the ancient Hongshan Culture tribes have, during their time, shaped two type of C shaped dragons with subtle differences. The female C shaped dragon has 3 raised ridges or semi circular rings on the bottom of its jaw. The male C shaped dragon has rhombic lattice pattern on its jaw/forehead.

There is another type of C shaped dragon, without ridges or mesh lines on its head, which I believed exist during the Hongshan Culture period, for which I have no answer, whether male, female or genderless.

As I do not believe kissing/mating C shaped dragons were ever created as a tribal totem for the ancient Hongshan Culture tribes, this artifact is a fantasy piece, to my eyes.

Aside from the shape/style which I believed is incorrect, the material and appearance of the surface of this artifact based on the image provided does not justify further investigation to determine its authenticity.

My short answer - fantasy/fake Hongshan Culture artifact.

I am an expert at nothing. Just a jade/stone collector with some experience in collecting Hongshan Culture jades in the 1990s. If you ask me for my view, what you get is what I have learned or experienced, which may not be the truth.

Subject:Obvious Fakes To My Eyes Can Be Genuine To Others
Posted By: Jac Fri, Aug 08, 2014

This artifact sold through eBay, is an obvious fake Hongshan Culture artifact to my eyes. The seller and a buyer think otherwise:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Chinese-carved-jade-statue-Ecstasy-23cm-HongShan-culture-/180982600916?nma=true&si=mjlkBXEkuzcfAlVrigcHSeB2DqE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Here is a KISSING DOVE jade statue from the same seller with a US $28,000.00 asking price:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chinese-carved-jade-KISSING-DOVES-30cm-Hongshan-culture-4700-2900-BC-/180983019889?pt=Asian_Antiques&hash=item2a236db971

How can anyone, whether seller or buyer, believe this type or obvious fakes can be genuine Hongshan Culture artifacts?

Which ancient human culture would be willing to have something of these shape buried with them? What is it used for, in life or after life? For male or female Hongshan Culture people? Where would such things be placed with the deceased?



URL Title :Chinese carved jade KISSING DOVES, 30cm, Hongshan culture 4700-2900 BC


Subject:Re: Hongshan Jade Artifacts
Posted By: Lee Tue, Dec 18, 2018

Hi Jac, someone just passed to me a jade mask which he claimed is a Hongshan artifact passed down to his father by his grandpa, and now to him.

As I believe you know well about Hongshan artifacts, I would appreciate if you could take the trouble to have a look at the picture and possibly can form up a preliminary opinion about it.

Thank you in advance and I apologise for making this obviously a very amatuer request.

Thanks again.

Regards,

CT





Subject:Re: Hongshan Jade Artifacts
Posted By: Jac Wed, Dec 19, 2018

Looked old. Possibly a genuine neolithic or early bronze age artifact.


Subject:Re: Hongshan Jade Artifacts (PICTURES)
Posted By: John Tue, Aug 05, 2014

Here is a link to the other items. Any information you can give me would be much appreciated. Thanks, John



Subject:Re: Hongshan Jade Artifacts (PICTURES)
Posted By: Ernest Wilhelm Fri, Aug 08, 2014

no link,
Ernest

Subject:Re: Hongshan Jade Artifacts
Posted By: Ernest Wilhelm Tue, Aug 05, 2014

With this one picture you cannot ask for any judgement. Please post some pictures, close up, plus at a slight distance, so the whole item is in one picture.
Ernest

Subject:Re: Hongshan Jade Artifacts
Posted By: John Sun, Aug 17, 2014

Picture of Double C Dragon



Subject:A modern Hongshan fantasy piece
Posted By: Super Mon, Aug 18, 2014

I have no idea how big your double C dragons is. But there is no known authentic double C dragons that could be documented from legal excavations. For that matter, none for C dragons either, whether small or large. As a matter of fact, the six (or 5?) famous large C Dragons including the No. 1 Dragon of China were not from documented excavations but were believed to be authentic due to expert opinions.

Secondly, the material used for this double-C dragon is not one of the credible Hongshan jade material especially those that were used for authentic large C dragons were usually a dark-green Manasa (River) nephrite jade (bai yu). The material used to "carve" this double-C dragon is very inferior and ugly, IMHO, may or may not be nephrite. No Hongshan jade artists would select such material for any authentic HS that would take years to complete. NONE.

The luster found on it is totally "dead" and fails to exhibit any Hongshan spirit and the carving technique shown on its edge is just simply not up to par.

In short, this is more than likely one of those 99k (or is it 990k?) pieces of modern Hongshan fantasy pieces that were made during the Hongshan fever and are now all over the market. No pun intended.



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