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Subject:Chinese jade belt-hook with Chilong & Lingzhi
Posted By: Bill H Fri, Nov 15, 2019 IP: 2601:342:200:6e70:1d
I bought this 5.5 inch-long belt-hook from one of my A-list eBay dealers last week and am rather confident in its description as jadeite carved circa late-Qing to Republic era, seeing as how the write-up came from a figure respected around this forum. However, just to dispense with the inevitable question, I did test the surface with a carbon steel point, which found nothing more than what I believe to be some pitting of the button from the polishing process (see last photo below). The piece had been rubbed with what looks like a combination of soot, dirt and linseed oil, which proved resistant to my household liquid grease-cutter, scrubbed on with an old toothbrush (not that I don't like the highlighting of carved features, I just prefer something sterile of my own making).
Anyway, while all comments are welcome, my main interest at the moment, besides replacing the grunge, is whether anyone can tell whether the green color seen in the piece is dye or might be natural.
Thanks much,
Bill H.
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