Piece of a carved yellow jade belt, Han dynasty

A central piece for a belt made of white jade, with reddish-golden flecks. It is carved on the front in the form of a lion's mask with a menacing expression. It has two curled horns and large jaws. The relief is intricately carved, and from the back we can appreciate it has a handle.

It was sometimes depicted on ancient textiles, belt buckles, seals, bells or buttons to ward off evil spirits. In the southern dynasties, stone statues were often found in front of tombs for the same reason. Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) or later.

Size: 7.5 x 3.2 x 6.5 cm

Weight: 128 g

Provenance: Collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, from 1980.