J.J. Lally & Co., Oriental Art / New York City, New York
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74.
AN INCISED JADE RULER
Eastern Han Dynasty/ Three Kingdoms Period, circa A.D. 3rd Century
the narrow rectangular bar with squared angles and flat polished sides divided into ten equal segments by incised lines in the narrow borders of both long edges of both sides, and with three segments on each edge also divided into eight smaller units, the center panel decorated with a pair of very simply drawn small seated figures and one larger seated figure amidst undulating stylized cloud scrolls, all incised in very fine outline, the same design repeated on both sides between crosshatched panels filling one segment at either end, the translucent pale grayish-green jade with cloudy areas, pierced with a small hole near one end, showing remains of earth and cinnabar.
Length 9 1⁄16 inches (23 cm)
Compare the plain carved bone ruler of similar form excavated in 1982 at Xigong, Luoyang, illustrated in Ancient Treasures of Luoyang, Beijing, 1990, p. 74, no. 55, described as Eastern Han dynasty.
Compare also the plain carved bone ruler in the collection of the Liaoning Provincial Museum, excavated in 1955 from a tomb at Sandaohao, Liaoyang city, Liaoning province, illustrated in Zhongguo gudai du liang heng tuji (Weights and Measures in China Through the Ages), Beijing, 1984, p. 15, no. 28, described as late Eastern Han to Three Kingdoms period.
東漢 / 三國 刻紋玉尺 長 23 厘米
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74.
AN INCISED JADE RULER
Eastern Han Dynasty/ Three Kingdoms Period, circa A.D. 3rd Century
Length 9 1⁄16 inches (23 cm)