Identification:

The bright and piercing eyes carved with incised lines with the design more reflect the real object to conform to the later genre of the Hongshan culture artifacts. On the backside of the eagle are two smooth double slant incised lines between the wings and the body. The beat is presented by a 120-degree angle with a v-shaped incised line. A double-side bugle shape holes pertinent to Hongshan culture is located at the neck on the backside.

Made of fine quality jade( white tone nephrite has a prominent mode within the low wavenumber range of 600-800 tested by Raman spectrometer) with antiquity evidence of differential weathering, exposed crystal plane and diffusive markings, the style of carving and hole drilling method, and ancient tool mark confirm the characteristics of Hongshan culture artifacts, and with perfect workmanship, fine quality jade and big size of 3500 grams and H. 25cm( much bigger than the one H.18.3cm which had been claimed the biggest in 2004), it is a rather rare and extremely valuable Hongshan jade eagle artifact. ( below is a Peregrine Falcon)

Appreciation:

To reflect Hongshan people’s dream of flying high in the sky, eagles are one of the main motifs other than the C-dragon or pig dragon for the Hongshan Culture jades. With strong and solid chest and the wings wide open, this eagle seems ready to fly high. The designs of the eagle have evolved from simple shapes of more abstract forms into more detailed ones.  This eagle is seen in detail design to represent the later period Hongshan genre. Coupled with a high quality of jade, large size, and mastery of workmanship, this is a valuable rare Hongshan artifact.

红山文化玉鹰, H. 25cm, L.18cm, 3500g。本器白玉雕琢, 构图优美, 以圆形的弧线为主, 阴线雕琢的双目炯炯有神, 嘴部尖锐, 前额及鼻头, 玉鹰的头部中央经由大自然的助力呈现钻石形,给人的的感觉, 浑圆饱满, 近乎完美.玉鹰的胸部圆润坚实. 双翼敞开, 遨翔天际之举, 蓄势待发. 双爪紧握有力. 线条优美。頭部背面, 頸部及尾部有古代工具雕琢痕跡.