Archaic Chinese Jade Fish Ritual Axe Amulet with English Translation:

“This Jade Axe is an Example of My Perfect Work."

Estimated Age: Hongshan culture (4500 BC-2250 BC)

“A gentleman always carried a jade pendant, as a symbol of class and to remind him the virtues of a gentleman, since those virtues were found in jade. “

—Confucius

This beautiful & stunning Chinese Jade Fish Amulet, which is classified as a "Yue-Axe II" is approximately 4.69" tall x 2.41"wide x .30" thick.

It is made of old Nephrite Jade and weighs approximately 3.9 oz. or 111 grams.

I estimate that this amulet is over 5,000 years old and dates to the Hongshan Culture (4500 BC--2250 BC) in ancient China. 

It is made of pure Nephrite jade and has a wonderful, authentic patina that is a rich, orange & brown color from the iron in the soil that is was in contact with for 5,000 years! 

It also is heavily pitted from weathering and has white calcification from the salts that have leached into the jade.  

I have tested this jade and it tests as ancient Nephrite Jade.

I have examined this jade pendant under 10x and 50x magnifications and have determined that there are no cracks, repairs, or damage of any kind. 

The jade amulet shows clear evidence of something called "micro-crystalline nephrite" particles on the surface of this amulet - something that only happens when carved jade has been exposed to air and water for many thousands of years. 

You can see it in the cut lines of the jade Fish amulet. 

It looks like tiny white powder or crystals that have "grown" on the jade. 

This is completely natural and is perhaps the best clue to look for in determining the age of jade. 

I have carefully examined and authenticated this Fish Amulet

I GUARANTEE it to be 100% authentic or your money back!

DETAILS:

It is important to remember the ancient Chinese considered Jade the most valuable objects on Earth and wearing a piece of jade would protect a person from Evil Spirits that were lurking everywhere, on Earth and in the Heavens. 

Therefore, to own and wear a piece of jade, even a small piece, was the perfect way to protect oneself from evil and bring oneself good fortune and good luck. 

The jade amulet has one hole drilled in the top that is period correct in every way. 

That hole is classified as a "Double-Bevel Hole" as noted on page 57 in the wonderful reference book "JADE" that is edited by Roger Kaverne.

This hole was drilled by hand using a bamboo tube as a drill that was dipped into an abrasive paste and then rotated rapidly against the stone. 

The sides and end of this "Chan Axe" were ground to a bi-angle, cutting edge. 

This axe was never meant to be used as a cutting or chopping too. 

Rather, this Neolithic jade axe was likely a ritual sacrifice to the ancestors and to the gods and was meant to praise laurels on the dead instead of the living. 

This axe was probably a "gift" from the descendants of a very wealthy person of the elite class in ancient China. 

TRANSLATION and opinion of the Expert:

“What makes this statue especially interesting and valuable is that it contains several Chinese Ku-wen characters (also called Large Script characters) that are cut into both the front and back of the statue. 

Here is my best translation of these incredible pictographic characters that give archeologists a window into the meaning of ancient Chinese ritual art:

·      The first character you can clearly see on the top part of the amulet are three, horizontal lines.

This is the pictographic Chinese character for three, but more importantly it stands for the Three Powers: Heaven, Earth, and Humanity. 

I believe it is the ancient word “San” and is meant to symbolize the God’s power over the Three Powers. 

Based upon this character and others cut deeply into the jade, I believe this ancient statue was made as a ritual or funeral piece that would serve as a gift to the ancient Gods and help the departed soul of man enter Heaven.

·      The second set of two Chinese characters can be found on the front side of the Axe. 

Look carefully at the top character--see what appears to be a capital "I" that is character for "work."

Combined with a character for "Man" above it that looks like a upside down "V" that is the character for "Man's Perfect Work." 

The character below the "I" looks like the capital letter "D" with a line through the center. 

It actually is the ancient Chinese character "Wu" that means "one's self, me, or my."

Literally, all the characters cut into this jade statue/amulet could be translated as follows:

“This Jade Axe is an Example of My Perfect Work."

On the reverse side of the axe amulet, is the pictograph of a Fish skeleton--look closely and you can see his head, 3 ribs, and a tail. 

The 3 ribs are again the early Chinese character "San" that means "Heaven, Earth, and Mankind." 

In ancient China, the fish was more than just a food source, but also a sign of wealth or money. 

Fresh or dried fish were also used during ceremonial sacrifices and were the symbol of fertility and abundant harvest.

Thus, I believe the meaning of this ancient Fish Amulet axe is to repel the evil spirits or other obstacles and show the ancestors that this man or women’s soul deserves immortality in the afterlife as the axe was made for the tomb of a person who had great wealth and whose work on Earth was perfect.”

The jade axe would also symbolically repel any Evil Spirits and help this man enter Heaven from the Earth below.

In ancient China, this statue 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. 

It would also show the ancestors and spirits that he/she was a wealthy and honorable person.

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.

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 ancient Amulet is a fine work of art and it is truly a museum quality study piece of great historical significance. 
Its beauty and attention to detail are remarkable!

Provenance: bought by American Collector from Antique dealer in Hong Kong many years ago