Lot 718

Qing Nephrite Jade Girdle, Archaistic Zhou-Style Plaques

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Qing Nephrite Jade Girdle, Archaistic Zhou-Style Plaques

Estimate: $1,600 - $2,250

Starting Bid: $800

(0 Bids)

by Artemis Fine Arts
July 30, 2026 8:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th century CE. A stunning girdle of pale celadon nephrite, composed of alternating circular and rectangular plaques joined by carved interlocking links. Each plaque is worked in low relief and openwork: rosette medallions radiate from central perforations, while squared panels carry stylized scroll and zoomorphic motifs that consciously echo the taotie masks and coiled dragons of the archaic Zhou era. The stone ranges from soft grey-green to semi-translucent amber hues, its surface polished to a waxen sheen. The craftsmanship speaks to a workshop of considerable skill! Size: 42" W x 1.75" H x 0.58" D (106.7 cm W x 4.4 cm H x 1.5 cm D).

The 19th-century Qing fascination with fanggu ("imitating the ancient") drove lapidaries to borrow the motifs of Shang and Zhou ritual bronzes, chiefly the taotie mask and interlaced dragon (kui) scrolls, rendering in jade forms that had originated a millennium earlier in cast metal. This revival was fueled by imperial taste and the era's growing scholarship on ancient inscriptions. Nephrite, the traditional jade of China (as distinct from later Burmese jadeite), carried Confucian associations with virtue and integrity, making a jade belt both a status object and a mark of character for its wearer.

Provenance: private Arden, North Carolina, USA collection; ex-American Antiques Auction, acquired in 2024

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Item # 203608

  • Condition: A few chips and nicks, but overall excellent!

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$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000