Late Neolithic period, Liangzhu culture, c.3300-2200 BC
In terms of form and decoration, this peculiar cylindrical
object can be paralleled to no. 78 in the present
catalogue. This columnar shape, documented in the
archaeological records, stands quite apart from the usual
and more common types of Liangzhu jades, such as the
cong. However, this cylindrical object shares a number
of features with the cong, to the point that it could be
regarded as a ‘variation on the theme’. The shape recalls
the inner, cylindrical core of the cong from which the
external registers decorated with the mask motif project.
A continuous register covers the whole surface of the
cylinder and contains four masks which are organized on
two levels in an alternating pattern. The register, in slight
relief, presents small ridges which are visible near the top
and bottom borders of the object.
As often observed on the finest Liangzhu jades, the four
animal masks are finely detailed. The masks carved on
this cylindrical object result from the combination of the
two types seen on Liangzhu jades: the mouth, nose and
big eyes belong to the animal mask, while the pointed
element placed between the eyes is a stylized rendering
of the headdress customarily worn by the human-like
figure, as in jade no. 79. Even the smallest details are
accurately rendered, such as the almost invisible, pointed
teeth or fangs emerging from the mouth: all the features
of the animal face are carved in slight relief, creating the
impression that the mask is emerging from the surface
of the jade. Similar to what occurred to jade no.71, the
subtle, diffused yellowish tone on this creamy white jade
is most likely due to the strong inclusions in the stone.
The small raised ridge inside the object results from the
drilling of the internal core.
A similar columnar jade carved with mask motifs and
excavated from tomb n.12 of the Fanshan cemetery
(Yuhang county, Zhejiang province) is reproduced in
Liangzhu wenhua yuqi, pl.71.
HEIGHT 5,3 CM, DIAMETER 4,3 CM
From an Austro-Hungarian collection.
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