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I bought these two belt slides from the same source as the goat amulet... Again very cheaply from this jewellery seller who said they were in a bag at an estate sale and who clearly knew nothing about Chinese jade so sold them under quite the wrong category..... they both pass the scratch test.... and look quite old to me especially the darker one.... again will be wildly interested in your esteemed opinions!? Thanks in anticipation...

Modern work... Intended to look old but with no real antique model (Original idea!)

Thanks for your reply Adam... I can see you appear to be one of the most knowledgeable members of this forum on jade.. It sounds like you have an incredible collection!....I'm really interested in how you can discern this.... I'm trying to learn more about it and these seem very perfectly carved to me with none of the sloppy lines that seem to be associated with modern pieces... Also the light areas on the darker piece (I know it as crystal regrowth but you guys seem to call it calcification?) are subtle and only in the less handled areas so seem natural and not painted on deliberately... My learning up to now seems to suggest these are positive signs.... Anyway any little gems of knowledge you can share with me would be much appreciated... Thanks again!

Although there are examples of goat heads used in the bronze age, this form of belt slide developed much later (ming-18th-19th Century)... Also to the trained eye the discolouration and quality of work looks very poor.... familiarize yourself with museum examples and bear in mind that although they may have superior quality examples the workmanship should be of similar quality.... All jade was treated with repect and only the rise of the merchant classes in the Ming dynasty lead to anything but superior craftmanship being produced... good luck and read read read and a visit to a museum or preferably a large well known auction house where you can handle authentic pieces is highly recommended.

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