A LIGHT YELLOW JADE 'TOOTHED' ORNAMENT WITH MASK MOTIF Jade. China, Hongshan culture, c. 3500-2500 BC As exemplified by the present lot, Hongshan "toothed" pendants are characterized by a stylized mask carved in the center and a row of double-pointed protrusions at the bottom that resemble the teeth of an animal: the central mask is flanked on both sides by flattened extensions with a straight incision at the center. The two top lateral portions of this "toothed" ornament have been drilled with additional holes, giving the impression of two more stylized masks in profile carved on the sides. This feature is not usually seen on this type of pendant but the presence of additional holes on Hongshan jades carved with animal-like patterns is not uncommon. The mask at the center is suggested by two small perforations and two crescent-shaped piercings, representing the eyes and eyebrows of the animal's face: there is also a small central hole for suspension located above. All the holes have been drilled obliquely and from both sides of the jade and all the elements of the design are stressed by engraved grooves. The lovely light-yellow jade is streaked with diffused areas of different hues of russet and white due to inclusions in the stone. For a discussion of this type of ornament and further examples of "toothed" pendants, see F. Salviati, 4000 Years of Chinese Archaic Jades, Edition Zacke, Vienna 2017, pp. 22-25. Provenance: Old Austrian private collection. Galerie Zacke, Archaic Jades from China, 15 June 2018, lot 4. Collection of Prof. Filippo Salviati, acquired from the above. Dimensions: Length 9.5 cm, Width 4.5 cm