Sanxingdui (1600 BC-221 BC)

As one of the greatest Chinese ancient civilizations, Sanxingdui culture has been cited as the eighth wonder of the world. According to Yang Yong Nang, the ancient Shu kingdom of Sanxingdui culture  is believed to be another mainstream of Chinese civilization. In 1929, more than four hundreds pieces jade artifacts have been found by Yann Dao Chun, a farmer in Kwanhan City of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sichuan">Szechwan Province in China</a>, whose ancestors have settled there since many generations. The mystery of Ancient Sze Kingdom has been unveiled since then. The exaggerated expression of the eyes and ears seen in the statues of Sanxingdui culture has led some people believe the Sanxingdui culture has close relationship with civilization from extraterrestrial, however, most of the jades of  Sanxingdui culture have the same forms and motifs of ritual jades of Ancient Chinese from the Shang Dynasty to the Warring States period.
Sanxingdui Culture(c. 1600 B.C.-221 B.C.) Jade Statues Set, H.45cm
<strong><em>Identification</em>:</strong>
Consisting four pieces: holding bi-disk, priest holding cong, holding kwei and arched plaque, each one is composed with five separate pieces which are the priest body above from the legs, the two legs, the stand with backward angle, the four faces phoenix head stand, and the open work base. The eyes of the priest and the phoenix had the stick design to imply the powerful eyesight. The big butterfly wind style ears of the priest may have the implication of powerful hearing. The dress, the carving style of thin incised line with cloud motifs, the slant carving of thunder and the open work with rope motif all confirm the typical art genre of the Warring States. The artifacts made of white Hetian nephrite with <a href="http://www.exoticjades.com/wp-content/uploads/SanBi-Dissolved-Pits-Additive-Crystaks.jpg">dissolved pits</a>,<a href="http://www.exoticjades.com/wp-content/uploads/SanBi-Diffusive-markings-Didderential-weathering.jpg">differential weathering </a>and <a href="http://www.exoticjades.com/wp-content/uploads/SanBi-Diffusive-Markings.jpg">diffusive markings</a>. This set of jade priests is believed to be the topknot collection of the Sanxingdui Culture jade artifacts.
<strong><em>Appraisal</em></strong>：USD1,000,000-1,500,000( 4 pieces)
Sanxingdui Culture ,General with Sword Set, H.28cm & H.21cm
<strong><em>Identification</em>: </strong>
The large piece measures 28cm in height while small piece 21cm. Both artifacts have similar design. Each wears mask with dragon design. Holding a awl shape sword, both have thick lips and simplified square legs. The cong has elephant motif which is a typical cong design in the Warring States to imply the peace for the country. The mythical animal motif on the bottom of the standing base for the small piece is carved with the decreasing contour style. Both are made of Hetian nephrite with the archaic phenomenon of additive crystals, dissolved pits, diffusive markings and cleaving veins.
<strong><em>Appraisal</em>:</strong>Estimated Value：USD80,000-100,000.
Sanxingdui Culture Jade Knight on Camel,H.18.5cm
<strong><em>Identification</em>:</strong>
Having two humps, the camel of this artifact is bosom. With eyes having a piercing gleam, the mouth of the camel is open to outcry. The knight on the camel back tries to get some water from the canteen, preparing for a long and tough journey in the immense desert. The artifact is made of white nephrite with obvious phenomenon of red brown markings, cleaving veins and dissolved pits.
<strong><em>Appraisal</em>:</strong> Estimated Value：USD40,000-50,000.
Sanxingdui Culture, Jade Priest, H.20cm
<strong><em>Identification</em>:</strong>
Based on the carving style, this grey tone jade priest is identified as Sanxingdui Culture artifact. The hands are seen the posture as <a href="http://www.exoticjades.com/wp-content/uploads/F308670347-1.jpg">the bronze priest unearthed from the number 2 praying pit in Quanghai Sanxingdui, a collection of Sanxingdui Museum.</a>The priest is standing on the square cube with four sides with the motif of connected sprouts having style of Warring States. The bottom of the base has<a href="http://www.exoticjades.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/DSCN3246.JPG"> ancient Chinese scripts of 令出止奔 ( seeing the order, stop marching )</a>. Antiquity evidences include <a href="http://www.exoticjades.com/wp-content/uploads/SanFAdditive-Crystal1.jpg">additive crystal</a>, <a href="http://www.exoticjades.com/wp-content/uploads/SanFCleaving-Vein.jpg">cleaving vein</a>,<a href="http://www.exoticjades.com/wp-content/uploads/SanF-Dissolved-Pits.jpg"> dissolved pits </a>and<a href="http://www.exoticjades.com/wp-content/uploads/SanFDifferential-weathering2.jpg"> differential weathering</a>.

Sanxingdui Culture, Jade Head, H.18cm

<strong><em>Identification</em></strong>:

Based on the carving styles of the eyes, ears, nose and mouth, the characteristics of this jade priest head conform those of the typical jade priest heads of Sanxingdui Culture. The antiquity evidence of<a href="http://www.exoticjades.com/chinese/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/SanxingduiHeadAdditiveCrystal1.jpg"> additive crystal</a> is seen on many locations of the object.

Sanxingdui Culture, Jade Priest Head, H.19.5cm

<strong>I<em>dentification</em>:</strong>

The jade priest head is seen the carving style of <a href="http://www.exoticjades.com/wp-content/uploads/d000baa1cd11728bf257b52cc8fcc3cec2fdfc0392450c79.jpg">the bronze priest unearthed from the number 2 praying pit in Quanghai Sanxingdui, a collection of Sanxingdui Museum. </a>Ancient Chinese characters unidentified are seen on the head.Antiquity evidences include <a href="http://www.exoticjades.com/chinese/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/SanxingduiHeadAdditiveCrystal3.jpg">additive crystal</a> and <a href="http://www.exoticjades.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/DSCN3253.JPG">differential weathering</a>.