Neolithic engraved Taotie masks on a buffalo jawbone
3rd millenium B.C.
€100 000,00
1 in stock
| Period: | 3rd millenium B.C. |
| Area: | Liangzhu Province |
| Dimensions (mm) : | (L) 419 (l) 251 (W) 47 |
| Weight (g) : | 715 |
| Condition : | Museum piece. Light scratches on surface. Beautiful sandy patina. |
| Provenance : | Very old inherited french collection assembled in the early XXth century. |
Description
Right buffalo petrified jawbone from the Liangzhu culture (3rd millenium B.C.) depicting on a side a big Taotie mask and on the other some geometric friezes between two more simplistic masks. All the teeth of the animal are still present and the all the bone wears a sandy patina.
This kind of representation is exceptionnal, especially all complete and in a perfect state of preservation. Most of these kind of masks have been found on jade but scarcely on bones.
Gianguan Auctions estimated one example of such a jawbone without masks on the reverse for $30 to $40k (see references).
