**Originally Listed At $2500**

East Asia, China, Northeast region, Hongshan culture, ca. 3500 to 3000 BCE. Rare and fine translucent jade maskette from the late Neolithic period. Elongated mask form, looking as much like a modern comb as a mask - with openwork and relief eyebrows, drilled eyes, 10 toothy appendages surrounded on each side with scrolled cheeks and openwork flanges resembling ears. This area of openwork allowed the mask to be worn, certainly by the deceased in an elaborate tomb. This pendant was most likely a power and status symbol for an elite member of the Hongshan community. Size: 7.375" W x 3.375" H (18.7 cm x 8.6 cm)

For similar example, see Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. Stone tested using XRF technology and results are conclusively jade. Report available upon request.

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Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Arts du Monde, New York, New York, USA, before 2000

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#172361

A couple minute chips to the sides, else intact and choice. Possibly repolished.