Page 191 - Bonhams Chinese & Asian Works of Art Los Angelis December 14 2020

PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF ROBERT P. YOUNGMAN
411
A SEA-GREEN JADE MYTHICAL BIRD
Shang dynasty style
Of squat cylindrical shape, the mythical owl-form hook-beaked bird
carved with two large ram-like horns in a seemingly crouched position,
the underside with a tapering cylinder drilled to a small hole at the top
of the head.
1 1/16in (2.7 cm) high
$1,500 - 2,500

For a Shang pre-cursor of this type, see Sotheby’s, Hong Kong, The
Robert Youngman Collection of Chinese Jade, 3 April 2019, lot 3416
and also illustrated by R.P. Youngman, The Youngman Collection of
Chinese Jades from Neolithic to Qing, Chicago, 2008, pl. 31.

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PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF ROBERT P. YOUNGMAN
412
A ‘YELLOW’ JADE SLENDER TAPERING JADE PENDANT
Early Shang Dynasty or later
The semi abstract carving can be read as beaked bird-form or if
inverted as a snub-nosed fish with gills and lower fins highlighted, the
jade of attractive ‘yellow’ tone and with soft carving and smooth polish,
a pierced hole at the narrow end.
3 1/2in (9cm) long
$1,200 - 1,500

Whilst serving a different function this jade can be compared to a hair
ornament dated to the pre Shang era, (late Shijiahe Culture, 2300-
1600 B.C.) modeled with ‘eagle’ elements from which it ultimately
derived, illustrated by J.J. Lally & Co., Ancient Chinese Jade, March
2018, no. 54.

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