Jade 'snake' amulet, Eastern Han Dynasty

Amulet made of white jade, with reddish-golden spots. The amulet is made up of three joined, mobile parts in the shape of snake heads and bodies. Both the front of the head and the sides of the amulet are embossed in a pattern of C-shaped scrolls and spirals. In addition, the exterior is decorated with a border of entangled strings.

The Chinese idiom "連升三級" (Improve three levels in a row) means the rapid rise of an official. There are also other expressions meaning "advancing step by step" (步步高升) and "continuous increase" (節節攀升).

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

Size: 13.3 x 1.6 x 5.7 cm; Weight: 111 g