ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS 

Artifacts, Antiques, & Fine Collectibles

Neolithic Chinese Celadon Jade 5.56” Hair Ornament

To Secure Long Hair in a Bun on Men & Women

c. Hongshan Culture

4500 BCE—2250 BCE

 

 

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

 

In ancient China, this extra-large, jade hair ornament would have been the height of fashion and extravagance for the wealthy upper-class or royal man or woman that it was made for over 5,000-years-ago.  Their hair would have been gathered together or made into a bun and then passed through the center hole of this jade ornament and held in place at the bottom with a straight jade pin that would have been at least 4” long. 

 

 

As the size of this type of jade ornament related to the social ranking of the person, this massive 5.5” (140mm) tall jade hair ornament must have been made for a person of the highest social class, likely a royal personage.  This is one of the largest hair ornaments of this type ever discovered! 

 

 

Here are the approximate measures of this Extremely RARE jade treasure:

 

·       Material:  Translucent Celadon Green, Nephrite Jade

·       Height:  5.5” (140mm)

·       Weight:  1.48 lb. (670 gr.)

·       Diameter: 3.57” (90mm)

·       Inside Diameter:  2.48” (63mm)

·       Thickness:  .20” (5mm)

 

Condition:  This translucent, jade hair ornament is in museum-quality condition, with no chips, repairs, or restorations.  The thin, celadon-green surface of the jade is almost completely coated with white mineral deposits (likely calcium) and small amounts of red iron from the soil in which it was buried. 

 

Note:  This rare and fragile jade hair ornament is for Display Only and should not be used as a modern hair ornament. Thank You…

 

NOTE:  These items offered for sale by Ancient Civilizations are unconditionally guaranteed authentic. They were legally imported to the United States and are legal to sell and own under U.S. Statute Title 19, Chapter 14, Code 2611, Convention on Cultural Property.

 

 

Details

 

Sometimes called a “jade horse’s hoof” in modern China, this RARE jade artifact is actually a large, Neolithic hair ornament with two holes drilled directly opposite of each other that would have allowed a jade hair pin to secure this massive jade ornament on the wearer’s head.  His or her hair would have passed through the ornament and then made into “bun” on the outside of this regal jade ornament on the wearer’s head. 

 

It is definitely a Neolithic hair ornament, and a few examples can be found in the world’s finest museums, including the MET and the British Museum.  Remarkable craftsmanship was used to create this large jade decoration.  It is also amazing that it has survived over 5,000 years!

 

 

As the size of these incredible jade ornaments related to the social ranking of the person, this massive jade hair ornament must have been made for a person of the highest social class, likely a royal personage.

 

 

I’ve tried to capture the beauty of this extraordinary jade hair ornament with some strong backlighting so you can see the translucent, celadon green jade.

 

 

 NOTE:  This is a stunning, historical masterpiece of Neolithic Chinese jade carving and worthy of the finest museum or personal collections.  We prefer that this rare and extremely expensive artifact be a “pick-up only” item, and suggest that the new buyer make arrangements for pick up and/or shipping at their own liability and expense.