Chinese Liangzhu Jade 6.68" 3-Tier Cong Weighs 6 lbs and has 2 Taotie Monsters!

Description: ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS Artifacts, Antiques & Fine Collectibles Chinese 6.68” Tall Jade Heaven Ritual Cong 6 lb. Jade Cong with 4 Character Inscription and Two Mythical Monster Taotie Incised Pictographs Heaven, Earth, and Man Three-Layer Cong Liangzhu Culture: Late Neolithic Period c. 3300—2250 B.C.E. NOTE: William D. Houghton, the President of ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS, a State of Washington Licensed Business, assumes all responsibility for the information contained in this description and for the English translation and transcription of the ancient Chinese graphic characters. Furthermore, I prohibit the further dissemination of this information in any written, video, or electronic format without my expressed, written approval. Thank You! SUMMARY Cut from a single piece of celadon-green, nephrite jade, this Chinese ritual Heaven artifact (called a “Cong” in China) is over 4,000-years-old and measures approximately: · Weight: 6.19 lb. (2.81 kg.) · Height: 7.15” (181 mm) · Width 3.51” (89 mm) x 3.62" (92 mm) · Center Hole Diameter: 1.17” (30mm) Country: China Dynasty: Liangzhu Culture: Late Neolithic Period Est. Date: 3300—2250 B.C.E. Condition: Museum quality condition with no repairs or restorations. Stable surface fissures and consistent with its age. A few small areas of the brown patina appear to have been buffed off to reveal the beauty of the original light-green jade. This large, finely carved, Neolithic Chinese Cong is made of pure, Nephrite Jade that weighs about 6.19 lb. (2.81 kg.). The once green jade has turned a wonderful shade of dark brown with orange highlights from the iron in the soil that has been absorbed into the jade. Some experts believe that the Liangzhu coated their jade offerings in a type of lacquer or varnish that turns a rich brown color after millennia. This ancient, ceremonial jade item is called a “Cong” in China. It dates to the China’s Liangzhu Culture, in the 3rd millennium BCE. It was during the late Liangzhu phase that the cong grew larger and larger. Their size suggests that the tall cong were conceived as objects for display in temples that possessed a special ritual quality, which is underlined by the size and details on these ritual objects to honor the ancestors as well as the amount of material and time necessary to make them. The four square sides represent the Earth, while the round center hole represent Heaven, “T’ien” or "Tian" in Chinese. The hole shows the correct lapidary signature of being drilled from both sides of the cong with slow-speed stone drills. The three layers (called registers) cut into this large cong are separated by a two, deep, horizontal grooves. There are four single characters (one on each side) that are in period correct cursive Liangzhu script. This lovely jade pendant dates to the Neolithic Chinese people known as the Liangzhu Culture (3500 BC—2100 BC.) The Liangzhu are believed to have been the first people in China to ever use jade as a marker of social status—and this jade cong, with two ferocious, mythical beasts called a Taotie, is an awesome example, as these beasts served as a protective amulet against Evil Spirits that could prevent the man’s soul from reaching immortality in Heaven. DETAILS Jade was highly prized by these early civilizations in China, and it was thought to have positive energy to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck and fortune to all who wore a piece on their person--in life and in death. The production of jade items was completely controlled by the powerful warlords that ruled ancient China millennia ago. Jade was also believed to be a portal or messenger that could carry prayers to Heaven and send messages to those on Earth from departed ancestors and Gods in Heaven. This cong has the period correct “uniform bore hole” in the center that measures 1.17” (30mm) in diameter at the top. The hole was drilled by hand tools from both ends of the cong and the holes has a center ridge were the two drills from each side met. This central hole was seen as a window to the Heavens, and therefore to the Ancestors and Gods (“Shên” in Chinese). It was drilled from both sides with a slow-speed drill, as evidenced by the ridge and narrowing of the hole that is visible inside the aperture. This is the typical, hole-drilling method used for early to late Neolithic jades. In ancient China, this amulet would have been placed in the tomb or temple of the departed by his family to protect him or her from evil spirits on his journey to the afterlife and to allow him/her to enter Heaven (Ti’en). It would also show the ancestors and spirits that he was a wealthy and honorable person and that he had Mandarins that could speak to the Heavens for him. The Immortal Mythical Beast—Taotie Located at the sides of this cylindrical jade offering are three images incised in low relief of the Taotie, a fierce, mythical creature that was thought to scare away evil spirits. His face is prominently featured on all three of the registers with his nose in the center, two large circular eyes, and a rectangle shaped mouth below that is ready to devour any Evil Spirits that might prevent the soul of this man from reaching his ancestors in Heaven. His oversized round eyes and horizontal mouth have been incised into the hard jade with the finest of cut lines and are utterly amazing. Some experts suggest that a diamond or even an iron meteorite awl was used by the Neolithic stone masons to make these ultra-thin cut lines, as Neolithic cultures did not have iron tools to incise the extremely hard jade. NOTE: The items offered for sale by Ancient Civilizations are unconditionally guaranteed authentic. They were legally imported to the United States years ago and are legal to sell and own under U.S. Statute Title 19, Chapter 14, Code 2611, Convention on Cultural Property. RITUAL OFFERINGS This ritual, jade disk is believed to have been a precious religious and/or ceremonial object that was offered as a sacrifice to the Ancestors of the deceased in hopes that they would guide the soul of the deceased into eternal life in Heaven. Jade artifacts like this one were often buried in tombs with the deceased. The "Shu Ching" says it is one of the instruments used by court astronomers to observe the constellations and that this jade cong was used to contact the Ancestors in Heaven to influence the lives of those on Earth. There are four small Chinese characters that were carved on the sides of the cong. This cong served as an oracle or portal to one’s Ancestors in Heaven, in Chinese “Ti’en” to transport these prayers to T’ien. Because of its very large size, this stunning cong would only have been an offering to the Ancestors from a very wealthy and powerful family in ancient China. Such ritual gifts or sacrifices were left in the tombs of the departed or at shrines or temples on the surface near the tomb. The size and numbers of jades that were made for the various upper classes did matter, and both elements were carefully dictated by the ruling warlords and emperors for their dukes, princes, and generals. The ancient Chinese believed that such gifts would please the Ancestors, who could affect events in Heaven and on Earth, and protect them from Evil Spirits and Demons (“Kuei” in Chinese) who were thought to inhabit both worlds. English Translation of Chinese Pictographs When this jade cong was professionally cleaned in China to remove excessive weathering, it exposed the 4 ancient characters that were incised onto the jade—the portals for the offerings and prayers to the Ancestors to allow the soul of the departed to safely enter Heaven. This lovely amulet contains two sets of eyes on two edges of the square cong that have been incorporated into the design of this amulet. With a three-tiered cong, the number “3” (in Chinese “San”) has always been considered lucky, as historically it represented “Heaven, Earth, and Humanity.” · Confucius said: ‘Three people are walking together; at least one of them is good enough to be my teacher.’ · A Chinese proverb goes that “The wisdom of three ordinary people exceeds that of the wisest individual.” Here, the number ‘three’ means not only the exact number, but also ‘many’ abstractly. Moreover, the number ‘Three’ has its origin in Confucianism and Taoism. It stands for Heaven, Earth and Humans; philosophically, ‘Tao’ means “the unity among the above three elements.” In Chinese tradition, the phrase ‘San Huang Wu Di’ (Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns) generally refers to all emperors of ancient China. Besides, much wider uses of this number can be found in Chinese culture, concerning proverbs, history, and common sense. This configuration represents the power of jade and of this jade cong to transport the soul of the departed safely from Earth to the Heavens and eternal life. CONDITION All sides of the jade cong show similar signs of wear and differential weathering, accurate signs of being buried in the damp soil of China for over 5,000 years. And look at the fantastic coloration of the once green nephrite jade that has turned a wonderful color of saddle brown from the iron, varnish, and other elements and minerals in the soil that have absorbed into the porous jade over 5,000 years. As noted above, the cong has been professionally cleaned in China to show the beauty of the jade and to expose the very tiny characters that had been carved into it. This cong is a stunning, museum quality example of Neolithic Chinese art that displays magnificently and would look great in your collection! The jade cong has a single, bore hole that was drilled by ancient hand tools from both sides of the amulet--see 10x macro photos. I have examined this piece under 10x and 80x magnification and it shows no signs of modern tool marks--only hand tools were used to make this amulet. It has been cut, incised, shaped, and drilled with ancient hand tools. I also examined it under Black Light and found no signs of repairs or modern carving. Modern tools would have drilled the hole straight and true—and not larger on the outer edge of the hole and curved in the middle. Thus, these ancient, drilled holes are another sign that this amulet is original and authentic. Its beauty and attention to detail is remarkable! This ancient artifact is a fine work of art and it is truly museum quality. AUTHENTICATION I have carefully examined this item under magnification, and it shows authentic and original signs of weathering, calcium deposits, and ground contact that help to further authenticate it as an ancient piece. I also examined it under Black Light and found no signs of repairs or restorations. Using the experience and knowledge that I have gained from over 50 years of examining and collecting Chinese artifacts, I certify that the above described and pictured item is original and authentic, with a lovely patina that is consistent with its age. NOTE: This object is unconditionally guaranteed authentic. It has been legally imported to the United States years ago and is legal to sell and own under U.S. Statute Title 19, Chapter 14, Code 2611, Convention on Cultural Property. REFERENCES: • The Immortal Stone, James C.S. Lin, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Harvard, MA • Radiant Stones: Archaic Chinese Jades, Myrna Myers • The Ancestral Landscape, David N. Knightley, 2000 • Chinese Characters, Dr. L. Wieger, S.J. • Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC • Archaeology, Archaeological Institute of America, Feb/March 2015 • Shanghai Museum, China • Museum of Chinese History, Beijing, China • National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan • British Museum, UK • Smithsonian Museum, Sackler & Freer Gallery, WDC Please examine the macro photos carefully as they are part of the description. The stand and ruler are not part of the auction, just included to give you a better perspective. And please ask any questions before you buy. International Buyers are responsible for all import duties, import taxes, shipping charges and insurance costs. International Returns are NOT accepted. Note: Please ask any questions you may have before you bid! Thanks for Looking!

Price: 28500 USD

Location: Sequim, Washington

End Time: 2025-01-30T01:00:12.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD