Exquisite and rare jade pendant of a woman most likely comes from the Hongshan, a neolithic culture in northwest China (4700 to 2900 bce). Hongshan burial artifacts include some of the earliest known examples of jade working. This exhibits the classic ox-nose drilled holes behind the back for a cord. The lovely pendant adorns this 8 mm fossil coral necklace accented with 2 mm Chinese turquoise with sterling silver clasp. The figurative pendant is 2-1/2 inches long, 1-1/2 inches wide and approximately 7/8 inches deep.

As with archaic jades, the carving has been cleaned to remove superficial surface alteration from age and burial however edge, surface wear, and stable fissures are visible. Centuries of patina are still evident but only increase the natural beauty.