Magnificent Warring States, Jade Horse Container & Lid

Chinese Jade double horse container with lid: Warring States period 450 B.C.E. – 220 B.C.E Possible purpose of the container: 1. trophy award for the hero in the war; 2. used as a container for water, wine or balsamic oils; 3. used as a food or wine container or libation cup. Dimensions of the major horse: Weight: 10 kg = 23 lb. Height: 22.5 cm = 9 in. Width: 13.6 cm = 5.5 in. Length: 39.8 cm = 15 in. Dimensions of the lid: Weight: 450 = 1 lb. Length: 8.5 cm = 3.5 in. Width: 6 cm = 2.5 in. Height: 3.5 in. Dimensions of the horse container and lid: Total Height (with lid): 23.5 cm = 9.5 in. Total Weight: 10 kg = 24 lb. Description: Cloud design on the body, flat tail, lid in the shape of smaller horse. Scientific observation and findings: Tremolite jade. Decompositional wear, use wear, and handling wear are all indicated. Degradation of compositional elements of the object is indicated. Diffusion and exfoliation processes, involving the minerals of the object and the minerals of the burial environment are indicated. Diagenetic altering with microporosity and recrystallization is indicated. The following deposits are indicated: calcites, ferric oxides, ferrous oxides, chlorides, sulfides, organic debris and soil. These deposits are indicated in formations that match data base samples from 450 BCE to 220 BCE. Ancient stone tool signatures are indicated including pecking, cutting, grooving, gouging, bow drill hole drilling, hand twist drilling, and abrading. Formations of deposits are indicated in and over the ancient tool signatures. No modern compounds are indicated Condition: There are 2 major cracks across the body of the horse. The neck of the horse shows a break that has been repaired and an old fissure that opened in ancient times, but has been filled in certain areas with glue and debris in the waist area. We don’t know exactly when they happened, may be because water and chemical reactions damaged the stone, may it was broken during excavation, etc. There is a striking difference in the color and the surface of the jade between upper and lower parts of the body, which may took centuries for the reaction between water and minerals to create this. Possible explanation is in the reaction between the acidic water coming from the top soil and alkaline water coming from the rock. Provenance: from private collection in Florida, USA; purchased in 1980’s -1990's Authenticity report: Genuine, - analyzed and appraised by Frank Aon from Orenda Lab, Santa FE, NM. Fair Market value: $95,000; Replacement value: $300,000. References: Frank Aon, M. Sci., is a renowned antiquities forensic scientist of Orenda Lab, Investigation and Analysis of Artifacts and Antiquities of Santa Fe, NM. He has 37 years of experience in evaluating Chinese and American jades, bronzes, and other antiquities. Orenda lab is the only one in USA, which developed ancient tools and has a database of ancient tools signatures and aging samples of the jades, corresponding to different Chinese dynasties. Frank Aon has a highest record in selling of jade items on the US auctions with his appraisal. http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/10346988. Auction House: Elite Decorative Arts, Boynton Beach, Fl, on Dec 10, 2011. Lot 100, Rare Eastern Han dynasty Solid Nephrite Jade Bear was sold for $7,050,000 US!

There are 2 stable major cracks across the body of the horse. The neck of the horse shows a break that has been repaired and an old fissure that opened in ancient times, but has been filled in certain areas with glue and debris in the waist area