A PALE GREEN JADE ‘DRAGON’ PENDANT, SHANG TO WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTYChina, 1300-1000 BC. Of flattened form, carved in the form of a recumbent dragon with open mouth and long tail. The translucent stone of a green tone with creamy white and russet speckles.Provenance: From the collection of Dr. Wou Kiuan. Wou Lien-Pai Museum, coll. no. -H. Dr. Wou Kiuan (1910-1997) was a Chinese diplomat and noted scholar of Chinese art. His father, Wou Lien-Pai (1873-1944), was one the leading political figures of early 20th century China, remembered for his role as speaker and leader of parliament during the turbulent years of the Republican era. Dr. Wou himself embarked on an illustrious career in diplomacy until his retirement in 1952, when he settled in London and devoted the rest of his life to the study of Chinese art. It was no doubt fortuitous that Dr. Wou’s years of collecting coincided with an abundant availability of exceptional Chinese art on the London market. From the mid-1950s to the late 1960s he was able to form a collection of well over 1,000 works that together represented virtually every category of Chinese art. At the heart of Dr. Wou’s drive to collect was a burning desire to preserve the relics of China’s rich historical past scattered across Europe, and to promote Chinese art and culture. It is unclear when Dr. Wou conceived of the idea to create a place to house his collection, but in 1968 he opened the doors to the Wou Lien-Pai Museum, named in honor of his father. Over the years the Museum became a ‘must see’ destination for collectors, academics, and visiting dignitaries, and Dr. Wou would delight in leading his visitors through the galleries, recounting stories of China’s glorious history.Condition: Very good condition with expected old wear and weathering, little nibbling, few nicks, and light scratches.Weight: 10.3 gDimensions: Length 8.4 cmSmall pendants in the form of animals form a major category of jades in the Shang period and can be found in many of the major burials of high-ranking individuals.Expert’s note: The carving is unfinished on both sides, with only a small slit defining the opening of the mouth. For a similarly unfinished jade pendant, see Sotheby’s London, 3 November 2021, lot 126.商至西周青綠玉龍形佩中國，公元前1300-1000 年。扁平龍形佩，龍張嘴，長尾巴，斜躺。綠色調的半透明玉料，白色和赤褐色斑點。