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Chinese Archaistic 'Taotie' and 'Chilong' Jade Pendant

Carved brownish-celadon jade pendant with dragon and taotie mask motifs, archaistic Chinese style, suspended by a dark red cord. - view 1
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Estimated value

$150 - $450

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Category

Asian Art

Era

Early to Mid 20th Century

Origin

🇨🇳 China

Authenticity

Uncertain(35%)
21

CHINESE ARCHAISTIC 'TAOTIE' AND 'CHILONG' JADE PENDANT: IDENTIFICATION

An openwork jade pendant carved from a calcified, brownish-celadon nephrite, featuring archaistic motifs inspired by the Warring States to Han Dynasty periods. The upper register depicts two stylized chilong (hornless dragons) flanking a central bi-disk perforated for suspension, while the lower body features a taotie (gluttonous ogre) mask framed by leiwen (thunder pattern) and a grain-patterned base. The carving exhibits manually drilled apertures and incised lines that mimic 'chicken-bone' jade calcification, though the uniform surface sheen suggests a 20th-century production intended to evoke antiquity.

Compare with other Asian art pieces in the archive: Chinese Archaistic Carved Jade Figure, Hongshan/Shang Style, Balinese Art Deco Wooden Sculpture of a Winged Celestial (Kinnari), Blue and White Ewer with Xuande Reign Mark.

DYNASTY & PROVENANCE

This pendant is an 'archaistic' piece, a style of production that became highly popular in the late Qing Dynasty following the 1761 publication of the 'Xiqing Gujian' (Imperial Catalogue of Antiques). Artisans imitated the forms of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) to appeal to the literati ...
This pendant is an 'archaistic' piece, a style of production that became highly popular in the late Qing Dynasty following the 1761 publication of the 'Xiqing Gujian' (Imperial Catalogue of Antiques). Artisans imitated the forms of the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) to appeal to the literati class's veneration of the past. The motifs used here, specifically the taotie mask, originated on Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes before being adapted into jade ornaments during the mid-to-late imperial periods.

SCARCITY

Average55-70%
CommonLegendary

Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.

Rarity 4/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 33 asian items at rarity 4 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Standard antique shop items
  • Regularly available
  • Moderate collector interest

Confidence Factors

  • Uniformity of 'weathering' often indicates modern chemical treatment rather than natural centuries-old calcification
  • Incised 'grain' patterns at the base show mechanical regularity inconsistent with early hand-tooling
  • The style is a composite of multiple dynasties (Shang mask with Han chilong), common in 20th-century archaistic reproductions

Expert review recommended. Consider consulting a specialist before making purchasing decisions.

How does authenticity detection work?

ASIAN ART SCHOLAR'S TAKE

Asian Art Specialist

East Asian Art Expert

Identification as an archaistic piece is high based on stylistic composite traits; however, without a physical density test or microscopic view of the tool marks, the exact decade of manufacture remains a range.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Combination of chilong and taotie motifs is characteristic of ‘Archaising’ (Fanggu) style.
  • 2Calcification (the white, opaque patches) appears surface-level rather than integrated into the stone's core structure.
  • 3Perforations show circular drill marks consistent with modern lapidary tools rather than archaic bamboo drills.
  • 4The russet coloring follows the incisions too perfectly, suggesting dyed enhancement.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Symmetry of the taotie mask eye placement is unusually precise for a hand-carved piece of claimed high antiquity.
  • •The 'weathered' patches lack the crystalline structure usually seen under magnification in genuine tomb jade.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Examine under a 30x jeweler's loupe to check for microscopic tool chatter marks in the deep crevices.
  • →Perform a specific gravity test to confirm the material is nephrite and not a softer serpentine simulant.
  • →View under long-wave UV light to check for fluorescence that might indicate modern dyes or polymers.

CONDITION & GRADE

Condition

Significant surface calcification present, which may be intentional; one visible hairline fracture near the upper right dragon's head; general softening of carved edges consistent with handling or simulated wear.

ASIAN ART VALUATION

$150 - $450

Updated: May 10, 2026

Who buys this

Collectors of 'Fanggu' (Archaistic) jades and enthusiasts of Chinese scholar's studio objects.

What increases value

  • •Quality of the nephrite stone (translucency beneath the calcification)
  • •Complexity of the openwork (hollowed-out sections)

What lowers value

  • •If confirmed as a modern factory-made piece from the late 20th century, value drops to decorative levels ($50-$100)
  • •Damage to the thin bridges of the openwork

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Natural 'russet' skin from the river pebble
  • •Evidence of hand-abraded polishing using traditional powders

Grade & condition

Sharpness of carving, stone purity, and the 'naturalness' of the simulated aging.

Rarity & demand

AverageModerate demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar asian objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

BR

bruinsma
The Connoisseur•59 items

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