Bidspirit auction | Carved jade fàguan ‘Taotie’, Han

Carved jade fàguan ‘Taotie’, Han dynasty - Pale green jade with areas of reddish-brown and ochre patina. The piece is technically complex in design, intended to hold a man's topknot or headdress. It features exquisite bas-relief carving of a stylized Taotie mask and archaic clouds intertwined in a rhythmic pattern. It has side perforations for inserting the pin. The jade fàguān was a luxury accessory restricted to the nobility and high officials. Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) or later.  Size: 9 x 4.2 x 3.5 cm Weight: 69 g Provenance: · Collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, since 1980.