DESCRIPTION: Ancient, elongated, and prismoidal cong (ritual jade squared cylinder) featuring twelve tiers containing incised circles on each of its four sides, possibly a representation of a shaman. Cong "microcosmically display the symbols of ancient Chinese cosmology": the four sides represent the four cardinal directions, the square exterior the earth, and the rounded top and bottom heaven, the hollow center symbolizing a fifth cardinal direction connecting heaven and earth.

Provenance: Estate at Kings Point New York, which purchased item(s) from Weisbrod Chinese Art, Ltd.
See pgs. 76-79 of "A Walk Through the Ages: Chinese Archaic Art from the Sondra Landy Gross Collection" by the Hillwood Art Museum
See pgs. 28-29 of "Lustrous, Enduring and Translucent: Jades from Traditional China" by the Weisbrod Chinese Art Museum with guest author Elizabeth Childs-Johnson

CIRCA: 3400 to 2200 BC
ORIGIN: China
DIMENSIONS: H: 12.25" W: 2.25" L: 2.25"

Have a similar item to sell? Contact: Info@Akibaantiques.com.

CONDITION: Piece exhibits mild wear on the circular sections at top and bottom. See lot description for details on item condition. More detailed condition requests can be obtained via email (info@akibaantiques.com) or SMS (305)-332-9274. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Akiba Antiques shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.