AHJ1001 - Fine Sword Scabbard Slide

A fine nephrite sword scabbard slide from the Han or late Zhou period. This 3 1/2 inch long, 1 5/8 inches thick piece shows light wear and material degradation from the tomb. Carved in the Zhou style with beveled décor. A Tao' t'ieh tiger face is at one end and a cloud / rain and spiral design fills the rest of the top. It's coloration is sea green to a greenish-white with whitish and brown earth burial incursion. A classic and important form that has been mildly repolished by a Chinese collector since excavation. Excellent condition with no cracks or repairs. PRICE: $2500.00

AHJ1002 - Museum-Quality Sword Scabbard Slide

A museum-quality nephrite sword scabbard slide from the Han period (206 BC - 220 AD). A reticulated design, the single-bodied elongated mythological animal has a dragon head and feet at the left, a phoenix head and stylized wing-forms at the right. Sacred mushroom / fungus type decoration fills out the rectangular space. 4 3/16 inches long with tightly curled ends for firm attachments, this exceptional slide shows good evidence of use in the ancient period, but only a small corner nick underneath mars its perfection. Off white jade with some light brown clouds and mild streaking (mostly on the underside) native to the original material. A rare find. PRICE: $3500.00

AHJ1003 - Sword Guard Emblem

Emblem of a sword guard 1 3/8 inches wide by 1/2 inch thick and sharply cut / finely polished in the Han style, and of the period. Gray-green jade with whitish alteration from burial, no suggestion of cremation. This would have served as a military amulet sewn into the clothing of the owner. Excellent condition and pleasing visual appearance. PRICE: $995.00

AHJ1004 - Orifice Plug

Scarce orifice plug of a type put in the nostrils or ears to "close the body with jades". Usually used by nobility who could not afford a full jade burial suit. Though the practice of placing jades in the body opening began in the late Zhou, most examples extant do come from the Han. 7/8 inches long by 5/16 inches across, of well made octagonal cross-section. Perfect, sea-green nephrite with a trace of blackening at one end. PRICE: $175.00