White Hetian Jade Plaque: Laozi Leaving the Pass, 72.4 g

No. This individual piece has already been collected and remains online as a reference. You can ask Yufu Jade to look for a similar material, form or carving subject; any new piece is documented and quoted separately.

Laozi and an ox are grouped within a teardrop-shaped pebble. The plain reverse preserves the rounded body of the stone behind the more detailed narrative face. The quieter reverse gives a useful comparison with the worked face. View the front, back and edge together to see how the relief meets the outline and how the polish changes across the surfaces. A smooth-looking back in a photograph does not establish that the stone is free of internal features.

The listed dimensions are 63 x 41 mm, approximately 2.48 x 1.61 in. Compare these measurements with a ruler to judge the scale. Listed weight: 72.4 g. Confirm the suspension opening and any included cord or fittings.

Laozi is the sage traditionally associated with the Dao De Jing. The scene of his departure through a pass, often riding an ox, is a longstanding subject in Chinese painting and carving. Read this as the traditional subject of the carving, rather than a statement about its age, maker or a promised effect on the owner.