A CARVED HARDSTONE FIGURE OF A MYTHICAL BEAST, DEPICTED IN A CROUCHING STANCE WITH ITS HEAD ELEVATED AND MOUTH OPENED IN A SNARL. THE PIECE IS SCULPTED IN THE ARCHAIC HAN STYLE WITH S-CURVE FLUIDITY, FEATURING PROMINENT HORNS, AN EXTENDED TONGUE, INCISING TO SIMULATE UNDERBELLY PLUMAGE, AND A LONG CURLED TAIL WITH SPIRALED TERMINALS. THE STONE VARIES FROM A CELADON-GREEN TO AN OPAQUE SAGE BASE, HEAVILY INTERSPERSED WITH ARTIFICIALLY APPLIED BROWN AND BLACK METALLIC STAINING AND BURNT SURFACE OXIDATION DESIGNED TO IMITATE THE AGING AND PATINATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL BURIAL JADE.
NO INCISED CHARACTER MARKS OR SIGNATURES ARE VISIBLE ON THE UNDERSIDE.
MEASURES APPROX. 6.5″ HIGH AND 13″ LONG