East Asia, China, Shang Dynasty, ca. 1558 to 1046 BCE. A ritual funerary item known as a "cong" that is hand-carved from mottled hardstone in beige, tan, caramel, coffee, sand, russet, slate, and smoky hues. The rectangular form features layered, relatively angular edges incised with delicate linear and spiraling motifs, and the circular main body features a wide central hole that was drilled inwards from both sides. The asymmetrical drill markings can still be seen within the body to show exactly how this cong was formed. The meticulous carving process has also created incredibly smooth surfaces across the entirety of the artifact. Size: 2.875" L x 2.875" W x 1.6" H (7.3 cm x 7.3 cm x 4.1 cm)

During the Shang dynasty, members of the royalty were accompanied in the afterlife by their bronzes, ceramics, weapons, amulets, and ornaments, and even the human and animal entourage that surrounded them in life. Stone items like this one formed part of the decoration of these tombs and seem to have been reserved for the most elite people in society. The funerary function of congs like this example probably had a religious connotation. Some scholars of Chinese Neolithic history and anthropology posit that the cong is "…based on the ancient Chinese notion that earth was square and heaven round, while the hole in the object represents the passage connecting heaven and earth." (Weichao, Yu. "A Journey into China's Antiquity - Volume 1: Palaeolithic Age - Spring and Autumn Period." National Museum of Chinese History, Beijing, China, 1997, p. 80)

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Arts du Monde, New York, USA, before 2000

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#172568

Minor abrasions and minimal softening to some incised decorations, otherwise intact and excellent. Great surface smoothness and preservation to incised decorations.