Ancient Chinese Jade Axe Immortality Heaven Amulet w/Characters & Translation

Description

ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Artifacts, Antiques & Fine Collect
i
bles
Ancient Neolithic Chinese Jade
Immortality Heaven (
Ti'en
) Amulet
c.
Hongshan Culture
4500 BC--2250 BC
Original & Authentic
with
English Translation of Chinese Characters!
“I Offer My Perfect Work on Earth to Enter Heaven (Ti'en)”
est.
4
,000 Years Old!
A gentleman always carried a jade pendant, as a symbol of class and to remind him the virtues of a gentleman, since those virtues were found in jade
.
—Confucius
This beautiful ancient, Neolithic Chinese Heaven/Axe Pendant is made of pure, Nephrite Jade that weighs about 3.3 oz. (93 grams).
It has turned a wonderful shade of burnt orange after being buried in the damp soil for over 4,000 years!
The amulet measures about 3.16” (80 mm) in width x 3.63” (92 mm) tall x .51” (13 mm) thick.
This ancient jade amulet is triangle shaped in the shape of a symbolic, ritual axe, with a single large hole in the center that symbolizes Heaven (in Chinese
Ti’en
), which can also be translated as “Immortality.”
The shape of the ritual axe is thought to scare away Evil Spirits, who were thought to lurk everywhere and who could prevent the soul of man from reaching immortality in Heaven.
The three-sided triangle represents (
San
): Heaven, Earth, and Mankind.
On both sides of the amulet are several ancient Chinese pictographs (characters) carved into the stone in low relief that I have translated below into English.
These characters are carved in the earliest Chinese script called “
Ku’wen
” or Large Seal Script and attest to the “Perfect Work” of this person while on Earth.
In ancient China, this jade amulet was thought to be able to carry safely the spirit of the deceased to Heaven (
Ti’en
” in Chinese) and immortality.
Jade was thought to represent Heaven and was considered more precious than gold in ancient China.
Chinese experts estimate that it was made during the late Hongshan Culture (4500 BC--2250 BC) of ancient China about 4,000 years-ago!
I Guarantee it to be authentic and original!
Details:
This stunning jade amulet is made of solid Nephrite jade that that measures approximately
3.63” ( 92 mm) long x 3.16” (80 mm) wide x .51” (13 mm) thick.
Although heavily pitted, it has a wonderful ancient patina from the iron that has been absorbed into the once green jade after being buried in damp soil for over 4,000 years.
This iron in the soil has turned this jade amulet a wonderful color saddle-brown with burnt-orange accents!
WOW!!
It is a very early example and is one of the few examples that has several ancient Chinese characters (pictographs) in low relief carved into both sides of the amulet.
This amulet has a small, suspension hole at the very top of the amulet that is classified as "double-bevel hole" by anthropologists (see photo # 3).
It would have been used to suspend the amulet around the neck of its owner.
As stated above, the large, center hole (.83” or 21 mm inside diameter) has a carved collar surrounding the hole (1.25” or 32 mm outside diameter) on the front side and that represents Heaven (
Ti’en
).
Each of the holes is round and was drilled by hand from each side with a slow-speed drill.
The holes are period correct and show the growth of tiny micro-crystals of jade inside the bore holes and on the all the surfaces of the amulet.
This chemical reaction can only happen after a piece of carved jade has been buried for thousands of years in damp soil.
These tiny crystals almost look like white powder and should never be cleaned off or removed as they attest to the authenticity of the piece.
{REF: "
JADE
" by Roger Keverne, pg. 57. This is an excellent reference book that can be found on eBay.}
In ancient China, this amulet would have been placed in the tomb or temple of the departed by his family to protect him or her from evil spirits on his journey to the afterlife and to allow him/her to enter Heaven.
It would also show the ancestors and spirits that he was a wealthy and honorable person whose “perfect work” would allow him immortality in Heaven.
The characters carved into the amulet state that he had Mandarins that could speak to the Heavens for him.
TRANSLATION
This lovely amulet contains several ancient, Chinese pictographic characters that have been carved in low relief and incorporated into the design of this amulet.
I have been able to read and translate the larger characters, but the smaller ones have been obscured by the extensive pitting and weathering this jade amulet suffered when it was buried in the damp earth over 4,000-years-ago.
The two, horizontal lines just above the large center hole (see photos 1-3 ) actually are the ancient Chinese character for the word "
Erh
" that in ancient Chinese Ku'wen (large seal script) means "
Earth
."  This character represents the power of jade and of the amulet to transport the soul of the departed safely from Earth to the Heavens and eternal life.
On the left side of the pendant is a compound Chinese character with a triangle shaped character “^” and “I” below it.
This character can be translated as “
My Perfect Work
.”
It is meant to state to the gods and ancestors in Heaven that the person who wears this amulet and presents it with his soul to Heaven has achieved success on Earth and should be granted immorality in Heaven.
On the right side of the pendant are two, long, vertical lines that look like the letter “F” and that face each other.
This is the ancient Chinese character/word “
Kung
” that symbolizes two hands joined and presenting this jade amulet and the soul of this person to Heaven.
My literal translation of this precious, jade amulet is as follows:
“I Offer My Perfect Work on Earth to Enter Heaven (Ti'en)”
And in photos # 1-2, if you look very carefully you can see very tiny ancient Chinese characters that are only about 5 mm tall that have been carved into the front of the jade amulet.
On the left side, you can see the stick figure of a man, which is actually the character for an ancestor who is presenting an offering to the gods and ancestors.
I am not able to read most of the other characters as the pitting of the jade has made it difficult to accurately read the characters.
Jade was highly prized by these early civilizations in China and it was thought to have positive energy to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck and fortune to all who wore a piece on their person--in life and in death. Jade was also believed to be a portal or messenger that could carry prayers to Heaven and send messages to those on Earth from departed ancestors and Gods in Heaven.
This ancient amulet is a fine work of art and it is truly a museum quality study piece of great historical significance.
Because of its cultural significance, it is highly recommended that this item be for display only.
Condition
As noted above, although this jade pendant is heavily pitted and shows signs of differential weathering, it has a wonderful ancient patina.
It has not been repaired or restored and is in “as found” condition.
The jade pendant has two holes that would have been used for suspension around the neck.  The holes have been drilled by ancient hand tools at low RPM from both sides of the amulet--see 4x macro photos.  These are period correct and have a wonderful layer of calcium and micro-crystalline jade inside the bore holes--just perfect.
I have examined this piece under 10x and 80x magnification and it shows no signs of modern tool marks--only hand tools were used to make this amulet.
It has been cut, carved, shaped, and drilled with ancient hand tools.
I also examined it under Black Light and found no signs of repairs or modern carving.
Modern drills would have drilled the hole straight and true--and not larger on the outer edge of the hole.
Thus, these ancient, drilled holes are another sign that this amulet is original and authentic.
Price & Value
I have carefully examined this ancient jade statue and I
GUARANTEE
it to be 100% original and authentic or your money back! I’ve looked under 10x magnification under both natural and Black Light and I can find no signs of any modern tool work or repairs. The hand tool marks left in the jade by the master stone artist who carved, shaped, and engrave this work of art appear to be consistent with those marks of other ancient jades I have examined.
Each object I sell is professionally researched, translated (if I can...(smile), and compared with similar objects in the collections of the finest museums in the world. I have been dealing in fine antiquities for over 45 years and although certainly not an expert in every field, I have been honored to appraise, buy, collect, and enjoy and recently sell some of the finest ancient art in the world. When in doubt, I have worked with dozens of subject matter experts to determine the condition and authenticity of numerous antiquities and antiques. This careful examination helps to insure you are buying quality items and helps to protect your investment. There are many modern reproductions or "fakes" on the market today, so be sure and buy only from experts in the field.
Note: For reference on how to purchase authentic archaic jade, may I refer you to an excellent book published in 2009 by Stephen Payne called "
How to Purchase Archaic Jade.
" He shows in great detail how the experts determine the age and date of ancient Chinese Jade. This book is well worth the price if you are just starting your collection or if you are a seasoned "expert" and can be purchased on eBay.
Please examine the photos taken at 4x macro carefully as they are part of the description.
The stand and AA battery are not part of the auction, just included to give you a better perspective.
And please ask any questions before you buy.
I
GUARANTEE
this statue is ancient and authentic or your money back!
Please examine the photos taken at 4x macro carefully as they are part of the description.
The stand and AA battery are not part of the auction, just included to give you a better perspective.
And please ask any questions before you buy.
Note:
Please ask any questions you may have before you bid!  Thanks for Looking!
Per e-Bay's rules, PayPal only please!
THANKS!
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