Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries


Visitors' Forum

Asian Art  Forums - Detail List
Asian Art Forums

Message Listing by Date:
Message Index | Back | Post a New Message | Search | Private Mail | FAQ
Subject:God of Longevity Statue...Jade, Glass, Other?
Posted By: Sandra Hughes Mon, Jul 10, 2017 IP: 68.200.124.14

Looking for opinions on this item. It is approximately 11" high at it highest point and weighs close to 9 lbs. It is cool to touch with a waxy surface. It does not scratch easily. It will scratch glass. It is opaque and translucent in the thinner areas. You can 'see' under the surface somewhat with a granular like irregular texture, fibers and some darker (darker dull blue green) 'spots'. I can't detect any lines separating the darker brown from the lighter green areas. There is one small thin branch tip that was broken from carelessness and the split surface reveals a whitish dusting or speckling. I have not done any gravity tests. I don't know its history beyond the fact that it was purchased by my aunt from an estate where in the deceased's son (who was hosting the sale) had no knowledge of the piece or value. Thanks for your help!







Subject:Re: God of Longevity Statue...Jade, Glass, Other?
Posted By: Sandra Hughes Mon, Jul 10, 2017

The white dust at bottom of statue is baby powder! Sorry, I haven't cleaned the piece at all and this is from dusting for ants! (I live in Florida...ant capital of the world).



Subject:Re: God of Longevity Statue...Jade, Glass, Other?
Posted By: sandra hughes Mon, Jul 10, 2017

Just a few more pics...with one of the bottom





Subject:Re: God of Longevity Statue...Jade, Glass, Other?
Posted By: Ernest Wilhelm Mon, Jul 10, 2017

It sounds like soapstone.or a soft Serpentine.
Ernest

Subject:Re: God of Longevity Statue...Jade, Glass, Other?
Posted By: Sandra Hughes Tue, Jul 11, 2017

Thank you for your reply. I did a scratch test with a pocket knife. It does not scratch except with very hard pressure and the indent is barely noticeable with only the shallowest depth. It is not white but the same color as the area scratched. I also gently drew the edge of the piece alongside a piece of glass. It scratched the glass. Am I misunderstanding that soapstone is soft enough to be scratched with a finger nail let alone a pocket knife? Also, would a 11" soapstone carving weigh around 9 lbs? I am fairly certain its not soapstone. But I am not confident that its not one of the harder psuedo jades.

The fracture I mentioned looks identical to pics of nephrite fractures I have seen. But I have not seen any pics of serpentine or bowenite fractures to make a comparison.

I do not see any aventurescence that would indicate aventurine.

I am by no means knowledgeable in jade. I have only read extensively and studied comparisons in trying to determine if the piece is worth getting appraised. To that end, I might be greatly misunderstanding. I do not know. I guess I will have to do a gravity test (and hope I do it right). Are there psuedo jades that would pass the SG test as well?

The only thing I can truly ascertain is that it is unique. I have not found a single piece that is identical to this one.

This is driving me mad with speculation!

Again thank you for your consideration.

Subject:Re: God of Longevity Statue...Jade, Glass, Other?
Posted By: Ernest Wilhelm Wed, Jul 12, 2017

Slowly everything is falling into place, you are a good observer.
The scratch test is : strong enough pressure to see a white or black line. That, on larger carvings, is always the same, we are looking for the tiny black line, and then we have Jade. If the pressure is not strong enough, we fail.
I think you are close to knowing what it is. Do not give up.
Ernest

Subject:Re: God of Longevity Statue...Jade, Glass, Other?
Posted By: sandra hughes Thu, Jul 13, 2017

Again thank you for your expertise. I am wondering if the metal of the knife I am using makes any difference in determining hardness? As in, maybe the knife isn't steel but a composite cheap metal of some sort? I will do the SG test as soon as I can the get the scale and will reply back with the measurements. Thanks!

Subject:Re: God of Longevity Statue...Jade, Glass, Other?
Posted By: Ernest Wilhelm Fri, Jul 14, 2017

I make it a point to mention a strong needle. Perhaps I should say sewing needle.
Good luck.
Ernest
PS.It would bed easier if you would be in my area :
Greater Vancouver, BC Canada.


Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries |