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I appreciate opinion on what this is, if it is jade, and when it might date to.

Measures a bit more than 9" tall. A friend of mine in his 70's sold me this figure. He recently acquired it from a friend who spent a good deal of time in the 1st half of the 20th c. in China. Along with this figure, my friend also acquired a nephrite jade ax head and a few bi discs.

It looks to be hand tooled, but I'm not sure if it is jade or not. I just liked the overall look and it looks old. Aside from the carving of the face, which looks to me to be quite amateurish, the rest of the carving is quite nicely done.

Any help is always appreciated.

Thanks,
Tim

Only a specific gravity test will tell if it is jade. it looks like it went through a fire, and then the question is: was it done to make it look ancient, or was it from an house fire There you need an very experienced specialist who can tell
where are you located ( country or city)
Ernest

Ernest,

I am in Jupiter, Florida. USA. I am not aware of any jade specialists in the area. As you are a regular and highly regarded contributor to this Forum, I'd be happy to send the piece to you for your analysis.

Tim Green
Roseate2000@aol.com

That is the problem, I am on the other side of the border, and I don't like the hassle of sending anything across. however, if it is hand carried,by you or a friend, and properly declared, then that would be an easier setup.
Ernest

Do not believe it was made of jade because of those white lines that formed its eyes, nose and lip. Looks like it could be easily scratched.

Very interesting material and colors, never saw anything like it. Polishing appears to be quite good. If it was indeed burned, then measuring its specific gravity would not help in determining if it was made of jade. May not even be Chinese.
Thanks for sharing.

Okay, so no sense in getting specific gravity checked. When I flick it, it does not make the kind of ringing sound that I have heard from modern examples of jade.

Kind of has a pottery sound to it...still high pitch, but sounds like it is porous or hollow, but it clearly is not hollow. Does feel cold to the touch and has good weight for its size.

Perhaps this is a dumb question, but does jade fossilize?

The possibility that it is not Chinese, or even Asian, has crossed my mind, but I've still be unable to find anything in this form.

this is a dumb question, but does jade fossilize? = = NO
Jade is a stone
Ernest

this is not jade and it is not antique

To happy Joe,
Kindly explain how you got to that conclusion
Thanks
Ernest

New jade Copy of a Han yongzhong.

Carving doesn't correspond to ancient techniques. Material neither, acid treated, (the stone/ jade is literally "burned"), perforation not right.

Super is right / eyes and mouth carving was done after treatment by a different person.

Above all consistent With modern copies flocking every market in China.

Best regards.
P.

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