A quirk of history went on in China in the late 1990's. They were building dams similar to our Tennessee Valley Authority dams. The government allowed archeologists and treasure hunters to dig in the areas where the land was about to be flooded. The result is that the average collector, through the internet, had the opportunity to acquire the most precious and valued treasures of China. Ancient Chinese jade is much more than a collectible; it is a great investment in ancient history...

You are considering a massive neolithic nephrite jade ritual (votive) axe, weighing one pound 10 ounces and measuring 6-1/4" in length by 2-1/4" in width and 1-1/4" in thickness (16cm X 6.5cm X 3cm). Predominantly green in color (celadon), there are extensive black and brown areas, indicative of a stone with a large iron content. Rough at one end, the piece tapers to a pointed edge (not especially sharp). Massive in feeling with a great presence. Guaranteed to be ancient...

A Chinese archaic pale green jade sword chape carved on one side with four linear designs, the reverse with a coiled dragon, 5cms wide, Western Han dynasty (202BC - 9AD). A similar chape was sold at Bonhams London, 18/5/23, lot 28, Keverne collection. Another sold at Christie's New York, 17/3/16, lot 920.

It would be hard to overstate the beauty of this ritual knife, made from an exquisite mottled green nephrite, with swirls of paler green and brown stone. Measuring some 11" in length (29cm) by 3" in height (7.5cm) and 1/8" (.3mm) in depth. The three holes are drilled conically from one side only. Please examine the photos, as they are part of the description. A truly beautiful piece; the stone is tapered to a point from both sides, although not especially sharp...

This jade skull is yellowish green and is from the Hongshan Neolithic Culture. It was dated to 6700BP-4900BP. It is 1 7/8" long and 1 5/8" wide. It has marvelous patina and the color is mesmerizing. It is 100% translucent. The jade is extremely fine grained and top quality. This could have been the top of a shaman's staff. BEWARE, this is one of the most reproduced fakes out there, especially on eBay. This one is the real deal. I no longer use "in my opinion" COAs...

This is an authentic Neolithic Hongshan jade object, described in the literature as "hoof-shaped." Current scholarly opinion is that it was used to hold the individual's hair, based on where these objects have been found in excavated tombs. The piece measures 4-1/2" in height and is 2" in diameter. As with most published examples, it has two holes near the base which would have allowed the insertion of a "pin" to hold the hair in place...