China, c. 3500-3000 BC. Of flattened form, carved with protruding round eyes and proud chest, the outstretched wings subtly detailed with grooves and ridges simulating feathers. The reverse pierced with an aperture for suspension. The translucent stone of a creamy cream-white color with icy white inclusions and areas of calcification.

Provenance: D Milano, Paris, France. Paolo Bertuzzi, acquired from the above in 2004 (invoice not available). Paolo Bertuzzi (1943-2022) was a fashion stylist from Bologna, Italy. He was the son of Enrichetta Bertuzzi, founder of Hettabretz, a noted Italian fashion company with customers such as the Rothschild family, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor. Paolo Bertuzzi later took over his mother's business and designed exclusive pieces, some of which were exhibited in the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum in New York, USA. He was also an avid collector of antiques for more than 60 years. His collection includes both archaic and contemporary art, and he edited two important books about Asian art, Goa Made - An Archaeological Discovery, about a large-scale archaeological project carried out with the Italian and Indonesian governments, and Majapahit, Masterpieces from a Forgotten Kingdom.
Condition: Good condition with expected old wear, few small nicks, losses, and signs of weathering. The stone with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into hairlines over time. The surface with a fine, unctuous patina.

Weight: 39 g
Dimensions: Length 4.1 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare a related jade pendant in form of a bird, Hongshan culture, 3.8 cm long, in the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, accession number S2012.9.2. Compare a related jade pendant in form of a bird, Hongshan culture, located in the Ancient Chinese Jade Gallery of the Shanghai Museum.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's New York, 19 May 2019, lot 144
Price: USD 32,500 or approx. EUR 40,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A green jade bird-form amulet, Neolithic period, Hongshan culture
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form. Note the size (3 cm) and color of the jade.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 22 May 2020, lot 5123
Price: HKD 50,000 or approx. EUR 6,200 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A celadon jade 'bird' amulet, Neolithic period, Hongshan culture
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and size (4.3 cm). Note the color of the jade.