Carved jade pendant, Western Zhou

A carved jade figure in the form of the auspicious beast "瑞兽" (ruì shòu). The form shows an animal lying down and stretched out on all four legs. The head faces forward and the rather large ears are folded back. The decoration is based on spirals and the features are traced in simple shapes. The jade is natural, untreated, and has a brownish hue with staining due to patina from age.

Attached is a "Certificate of Jade Identification".

Provenance: Important collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, since 1980. 

Size: 3.4 x 2.6 x 6.7 cm; Weight: 109 g