Shang-Zhou Style, Flat-Carved Coiled Dragon Pendant

This is a High Antiquity (Gao Gu) Jade Dragon Pendant of classic form and exquisite decoration, often referred to as a "coiled-tail dragon."

• Dimensions and Form: The pendant measures 54mm in length, 47mm in width, and 5mm in thickness, with a substantial weight of 26.2 grams. This weight, for a flat plaque (pian diao) of only 5mm, indicates the jade is extremely firm and possesses a high density. The artifact presents an inwardly coiled "C" shape. The dragon's head is raised, and its tail curls inward, creating a full openwork (lou kong) void in the center. The overall form is dynamic and full of tension.

• Material and Coloration: As you noted, this piece is made from a white jade base, with a fine and dense structure. Due to its great age, it has "matured" (shu hua) and now exhibits a very mellow, warm, and rich creamy-yellow hue. Across the surface, particularly on the back as you pointed out, there are patches of light brown staining (qin se) of varied intensity. The staining is natural, with soft transitions, and has penetrated the jade's structure, serving as a clear mark of time.

• Carving and Decoration: The craftsmanship is the focal point of this pendant.

  1. Plaque Carving and Openwork: It is carved as a flat plaque with smoothly polished, powerful edges. The central openwork is skillfully executed, with a smooth inner rim.

  2. "Double-Incised Lines": The decoration covering the dragon's body employs the "double-incised-line" (shuang yin xian) technique (also known as "double-hook intaglio"), a high-status carving style in ancient jade.

  3. Motif: The body is fully adorned with cloud scroll patterns (juan yun wen), which can also be interpreted as "cloud-and-thunder" (yun lei wen) motifs. The lines are fluid, elegant, and perfectly parallel, creating a visually complex and sumptuous effect. The dragon's eye, snout, and jowl are also delineated using the same masterful double-line technique, giving it a majestic expression.

  4. Perforation: A suspension hole is drilled near the top of the dragon's neck, its edges smooth, used for stringing and wearing in antiquity.

• Stylistic Analysis: The C-shaped coiled body, the flat-plaque carving style, and especially the characteristic "double-incised-line cloud scrolls" are all highly typical features of jade artifacts from the late Shang Dynasty to the early Western Zhou Dynasty in China. Jade dragons from this period were often worn by nobility, serving both as status symbols and as ritual objects for communicating with the heavens.

• Conclusion: This is a "style-evident" (kai men) Shang-Zhou Dynasty jade dragon pendant with double-line cloud scrolls, characterized by its superb craftsmanship and mellow patina. Its warm jade quality, natural staining, and carving (especially the double lines) represent the pinnacle of jade-working artistry of its time. It is a treasure of significant artistic and historical value.