Northeast China, Hongshan culture, Neolithic Period, ca. 3800 to 2700 BCE. An impressive carved green stone pig dragon pendant of rich olive green and golden hues with russet-colored mineral deposits highlighting incised areas, carved in the characteristic coiled form of a mythical pig-dragon with a finely incised crest, round eyes, and whiskered snout from the Neolithic Honghan cultural period. Scholars purport that the "pig-dragon" may have derived from the slit ring or jue form and was an important shape among the Hongshan culture. This example is laterally perforated and was likely worn as a pendant or attached to clothing. For many years, scholars believed that Chinese civilization began in the Yellow River valley, but now we know that there were actually earlier cultures both north and south of this region. The Hongshan culture, comprised of a group of Neolithic peoples who lived in the far north-east, in what is modern-day Liaoning province and Inner Mongolia, created a sophisticated society and erected elaborate ceremonial sites that oftentimes included valuable works like this green stone pig-dragon pendant. Size: 1.875" W x 2.875" H (4.8 cm x 7.3 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private LA County collection

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#117240

Intact and choice. Nice mineral deposits occupy incised areas.