Anthropomorphic Jade Pendant. China, Archaic Style, Zhou (chou).

A small brown jade pendant depicting a standing figure with arms folded in front of the body. The deeply incised design combines the human figure with stylized elements characteristic of the archaic repertoire.
A longitudinal perforation running through the piece allowed it to be suspended. The craftsmanship is of very high quality for this type of amulet-pendant. It features a remarkable antique patina.
The style is reminiscent of archaic Chinese jade; however, an attribution to a much later period—the Ming Dynasty—cannot be entirely ruled out, as artisans of that era produced numerous archaizing jade pieces inspired by ancient models.
The longitudinal perforation is nonetheless an interesting feature: late archaic-style pendants are frequently equipped with a simple transverse perforation, which is much easier to create, whereas the longitudinal perforation—which is technically more labor-intensive—demonstrates the particular care taken in its manufacture. In archaic China, these objects—intended to serve as protective amulets—could be crafted with extreme precision.
A highly original good-luck charm that is particularly pleasant to the touch.
Length: 55 mm.