THREE SMALL CHINESE ARCHAIC JADES

SHANG DYNASTY, WARRING STATES PERIOD AND HAN DYNASTY

One a spinach-green dagger-shaped axe, one a russet jade huan carved in relief with C-scrolls, the third a grey and brown jade scabbard with two rows of interlocking C-scrolls and a taotie mask on one side, the stones with mottling and striations, with original fitted boxes and covers, 7.2cm max. (3)

Illustrated: Ancient Chinese Art, The Idemitsu Collection, no.122, 136 and 166.

Provenance: a private collection, London, formerly in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, then purchased from Christie's London, 14th November 2003, lot 212.