The pair of jade carved ornaments gangmao are of rectangular form, carved with archaic text on the exterior, with stringing hole in the center, one jade is of yellowish-brown color tone with slight russet and mottled interior, the other jade is of smooth white color tone with slight russet and mottled interior.
Han Dynasty period.
Length: 1 in (2.5 cm)


漢 剛卯一對
剛卯，作為厭勝、辟邪之用的佩飾，其意義源自桃符，形製為長方柱狀物，其中有貫孔，如同方勒。四面皆刻有文字，多為驅鬼辟邪等辭，首句常作“正月剛卯既央”，因稱“剛卯”。流行於漢代，自皇帝、諸侯至士人莫不佩戴。青白玉剛卯，長方柱體，外形細巧，玉質瑩潤，打磨光潔。中央有天地孔穿繩。四壁陰刻吉祥殳書。