Chinese Archaic Belt Buckle

A pale jade bird, head turned back, waiting to fasten something.

Chinese lapidaries made this archaic-style belt buckle in jade in the 20th century. Jade belt hooks, often shaped like birds or dragons, have a long history in China, where the stone is associated with virtue and status. The curved neck here ends in a small beaked head, and the broad body is faintly incised with feathery lines. The stone is a light, milky green with a smooth, waxy finish and a few subtle tonal shifts.

About four inches long. Elegant on a desk, ridiculous in a belt. We recommend the desk.