Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 17

Six Dynasties Jade Mythological Beast

$9,500
£7,163.94
€8,285.44
CA$13,328.45
A$14,815.40
CHF 7,765.91
MX$180,931.87
NOK 96,952.97
SEK 91,214.65
DKK 61,840.15

About the Item

Auspicious beast carved in green jade, Six Dynasties period (220 to 589 A.D.). The Sixth Dynasties, the period immediately following the Han Dynasty, saw a shift from a profound belief in the afterlife to a more humanistic and Confucian set of principles. Gradually dissociated from animistic properties, jade ornaments in the shapes of the dragon, phoenix, tiger, and eagle, as well as other mythological beasts, took on new interpretations as Confucian gentlemen’s virtues: benevolence, rectitude, wisdom, courage, and integrity. This animal is one of the auspicious creatures figured in Han funerary art that continued to enjoy popularity in later tomb sculpture. Though lying down, the animal looks poised to spring at any moment, its paws tucked under its chest, the claws prominent, the long tail tightly curled over the left haunch. The emphasis is put on its strength and compressed muscular energy. The head is somewhat dragon-shaped, with a horse-like nose surmounting an open mouth with visible teeth and fangs, the chin adorned with a goat's beard, the hairs denoted by incised lines. Incised lines also suggest tufts of fur on the scruff around the face, on the backs of the legs, and top of the head, with some markings over the eyes recalling eyebrows. The paws have teardrop-shaped pads, and there are some additional decorative patterns on the body. The light green of the jade is extensively mottled with white and tan patches. Given its complex mineralogical composition, jade is not a “dead” stone, but a material which is alive, whose structure changes over time depending on how it is affected by environmental conditions. Jade interacts with and reacts to light, air, water, fire, and the acidity of the soil. and contact with water, which may percolate inside the jade through natural fractures and fissures in the stone. Whitening is a common alteration that affects jade as a consequence of a weathering process that may occur over time when jade is buried. The intensity of these phenomena depends on the mineralogical composition of the jade and the natural environment in which it was buried.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1.3 in (3.31 cm)Width: 2.38 in (6.05 cm)Depth: 1.13 in (2.88 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    220-589 A.D.
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Atlanta, GA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 54391stDibs: LU7220243307632

More From This Seller

View All
Archaic Jade Bi, Zhou Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
Translucent green and brown jade Bi from the Zhou Dynasty (1046 B.C. to 256 B.C.). The organic shapes created by the blending of these two main colors evoke a flame-like beauty, whil...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities

Materials

Jade

Archaic Jade Bi, Liangzhu Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
Museum-quality Chinese jade Bi from the Liangzhu period (3300-2200 BC). For the Liangzhu, jade was the primary material through which the secular and religious...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities

Materials

Jade

Ming Jarlet with Green Glaze
Located in Atlanta, GA
Small Ming pottery jarlet with handles and a green glaze. 16th century. This charming, somewhat rustic piece is like a miniature version of the large earthenware jars used to store ...
Category

Antique 16th Century Chinese Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

16th Century Chinese Pottery Figure
Located in Atlanta, GA
Ming dynasty pottery figure of a standing woman, likely from the Suzhou region. This is a small figure with a lot of personality, rendered in crea...
Category

Antique 16th Century Chinese Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Civil Rank Badge with Mandarin Duck
Located in Atlanta, GA
Qing Dynasty silk embroidery rank badge decorated with a Mandarin duck, denoting an official of the Seventh Rank. Badges with ducks are re...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Textiles

Materials

Silk

Pair of Han Dynasty Seated Figures
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of seated pottery figures, Han dynasty (2nd century BC to 2nd century AD). The taller of the two sits very still and upright, his hands folded into his sleeves, gazing straight ...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

You May Also Like

Chinese Yellow and Russet Jade Mythical Beast, Ming Dynasty or Earlier
Located in Austin, TX
A superb Chinese yellow and russet nephrite jade carving of a mythical beast, Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) or earlier, China The mythical beast is portrayed with feline features, i...
Category

Antique 17th Century Chinese Ming Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Chinese Carved Celadon and Russet Jade Mythical Animal, Ming Dynasty or Earlier
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and unusual carving of a mythical animal, possibly a pixiu, of celadon and russet nephrite jade, Ming Dynasty or earlier, China. The mythical animal masterfully carved as a...
Category

Antique 17th Century Chinese Ming Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Chinese jade carving of a ram
Located in New York, NY
can be used as a necklace pendant
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Chinese jade cabbage
Located in New York, NY
jade with apple green tones
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Probably Chinese Jade Stamp, 18th-19th Century
Located in Aalsgaarde, DK
Probably Chinese jade stamp, 18th-19th century.
Category

Antique 18th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Jade

Chinese jade carving of a horse
Located in New York, NY
can be used as a necklace pendant
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade