A rare two-part jade pendant

Description:

China, Warring States period, ca. 3rd century BC
D. 27,5 (23) cm
Pendant in the form of a two-part “bi” or “yuan” disc, each composed of three concentric semicircles with an additional fixed “huang” extension on the outer edge, featuring two dragon heads and comma motifs; the ends of the semicircles are shaped as dragon heads. The middle semicircle bears identical decoration, while the outer semicircle shows two finely modeled dragons in opposing arrangement in low relief, and the inner semicircle features a “snake-dragon” in low relief. Light green, translucent jade with slight whitish sintering, executed with very fine craftsmanship.
From an important private collection; according to the owner, in family possession since approximately 1920, published: Nagel Auktionen, Auction 31A, 17 May 2006, lot 809. - Cf. Zhou, Nanquan (ed.): The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - Jadeware (I), Hong Kong: The Commercial Press, 1995, no. 130 (two-part “bi” disc, but significantly simpler in decoration and smaller); Salviati, Filippo: Radiant Stones - Archaic Chinese Jades / Pierres Radieuses - Jades Archaiques Chinois, Paris: Myrna Myers, 2000, no. 101 (“bi” disc, the center carved in openwork) - Small repaired break