Weiner Mihályné szerk.: Az Iparművészeti Múzeum Évkönyvei 7. (Budapest, 1964)

HOPP FERENC MÚZEUM — MUSÉE FERENC HOPP - Horváth, Tibor: Four Archaic Chinese Jade Carwings

Fig. 3. Plate in the form of a knot-opener, jade, Shang-Yin style unable to provide an acceptable explanation of the accompanying elements at the present time. The raised wing of the swan continues with a definitely shaped part which has a small engraved circle near the end. It probably represents a fish, although the line separating the head from the body, as well as other elements characteristic of a fish, are missing. The plaque is made of hard, shiny, greyish-white jade. The stone is not uniform, nor pure. Crumbling, discoloured or dull spots most likely indicate original impurities. The corrosion shows that the object was in the earth or a grave for a long period of time. The polishing of it signifies the work of a skilled master. The lines — with the exception of those on and above the human profile — were raised to make the two sides seem engraved or sunken. This gives the originally flat surface a convexlike appaerance, dividing the surface into shining and obscured parts when exposed to a broad light.