SQUARE JADE CONG, PROBABLY WESTERN ZHOU PERIOD

SQUARE JADE CONG, PROBABLY WESTERN ZHOU PERIOD, with wide circular hole to the centre with cylindrical rims, the extensively calcified stone with dark green and grey striations with mainly cream and pale biscuit stone, 26cm high Note: This cong belongs to a group attributed to Western China. Similar examples havbe been excavated from Shang Quancunin Shanti Province. These very plain congs may be compared to jades from Guanghan Ganxingdui in Sichuan Province. Literature: Myrma Myers in Radiant Stones, p74 when discussing a similar Tsung (Cong)says that a 20.5cm example was excavated near Xi'an c.1050 BC and associated with the ideal type of yellow cong used in the worship of earth. It has been suggested that these were artificially burnt when first made to make the colours more earthy.