China, 1600-1046 BC. Of tapered form, the thick-sided faceted exterior is left undecorated, terminating in a short circular foot and mouth, the interior aperture of characteristic circular section. The finely polished, mostly opaque stone of celadon and russet hues with areas of translucent dark green interspersed with black specks and icy veins, as well as areas of calcification.

Provenance: Bruno Cooper Works of Art, Norwich, United Kingdom, 2004. Collection of Paolo Bertuzzi, acquired from the above. 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: Very good condition, commensurate with age, with expected old wear and natural imperfections. Tiny nicks along the edges, small chips, few losses, and signs of weathering and erosion. Possibly smoothened in some areas.

Weight: 1,339.8 g
Dimensions: Height 12.8 cm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 4 April 2017, lot 167
Price: HKD 187,500 or approx. EUR 25,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A dark spinach-green jade cong, Shang dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form with similar tapered sides and triangular segments at the corners below the mouth and foot, as well as the smooth sides and fine polish. Note the size (8.9 cm).