Serpentine stone acid etched urn (I believe it is a reproduction)- Chinese ritual vessel, often referred to as a cong or a zun jar. These objects were highly significant ceremonial items in ancient China.
Incense Burner Asian Art Décor Collectible
Dimensions
23 x 19 x 7 cm
2.85kg
- The vessel features intricate carvings of mythical beast masks, also known as taotie motifs, on both the body and the cover.
- It has a distinctive square or rectangular shape with flanges on the sides and a knob on the lid.
- The material is a mottled hardstone in tones of yellow, orange, and brown.
- Such pieces are often associated with ancient Chinese dynasties like the Shang, but production of similar items continues into the 20th century.
This item weighs a lot, so pick up is available at Pomona 4568 Qld, Australia. Shipping will be over $25.00 as an estimate in Aus.
AUD $175.00 + Shipping
Pick up Pomona 4568
Description and Use other information I have found out:
- Material and Appearance: The vessel is made of a yellowish, often translucent, stone, consistent with descriptions of Hetian jade or nephrite. It has a square body and a circular inner bore, with a fitted lid and handles featuring stylized animal or beast faces, a common motif known as taotie.
- Historical Period: The earliest cong vessels appeared during the Neolithic period (around 3400–2250 BCE), particularly associated with the Liangzhu culture. The form continued to be used in later dynasties, including the Shang and Zhou, and was even reproduced in ceramics and metalwork centuries later.
- Function and Symbolism: While its exact original purpose is a subject of scholarly debate, the cong is widely believed to be a ritual implement used in sacrificial and burial ceremonies. Later texts associated the square outer shape with symbolizing the Earth, while the circular inner hole represented Heaven. The difficulty in carving such hard stone indicates the object's value and the high status of its owners in ancient society.