CHINESE ARCHAISTIC CARVED HARDSTONE ORNAMENT

CARVED AND HOLLOWED CELADON-BLACK TO SPINACH HARDSTONE WITH EXTENSIVE OCHRE-RUSSET INCLUSIONS. THE SCULPTURAL VESSEL-SHAPED PLAQUE CONCEIVED WITH AN OPEN CURVED CHANNEL BACK, PIERCED ALONG THE LOWER FLANKS WITH PAIR OF BIPOLAR ATTACHMENT BORES. THE CONVEX EXTERIOR SURFACE WORKED IN BOLD HIGH AND SUNKEN RELIEF DEPICTING A TUSKED OR FANGED ARCHAIC DEITY WITH BULBOUS LENTICULAR EYES, AND AN OPEN GAPING MOUTH, SURMOUNTED BY A TALL REEDED FEATHERED CREST OR ROOSTING PLUMAGE WITH FLANGED PROFILE NOTCHES AND A DEEP HOOK-SHAPED CREST APERTURE. MEASURES 6 IN HIGH, 3 X 2.5 IN