EARLY MING DYNASTY NEPHRITE JADE SWORD SLIDE ESTATE Start Price USD 3,500.00 Current Price USD 3,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, November 18, 2008 End Time Thursday, December 18, 2008 Location Tucson, AZ. See more about 'EARLY MING DYNASTY NEPHRITE JADE SWORD SLIDE ESTATE' Description Early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Nephrite Jade Sword Slide This authentic Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) sword slide is carved from a beautiful piece of true nephrite jade.  The top surface of the slide has a carved, low-relief dragon design, a theme common to late Yuan and early Ming Dynasty items.  In the cuts of the dragon, there are minute traces of original black lacquer (see magnification photo # 8, which shows the traces of black lacquer around the eye of the dragon and the fibrous nature of the nephrite), used to highlight the design of the dragon. These traces of original lacquer are not affected by acetone, and are visible under 10x magnification.  This is a purposely dyed Ming Dynasty piece, a technique commonly used during the Ming Dynasty.  Looking at the last two pictures, you can compare it with a re-polished authentic, un-dyed Warring States Bi (complete with manganese deposits), a visual effect which the Ming artists used to mimic.  (The Literati of the time studied and copied the old Warring States pieces, as did the Song Dynasty of the original Han Dynasty Pieces, and selected stones that mirrored the degraded look of the original Han artifacts).  The Jade dyers in the Ming Dynasty were held above those that roughed out the jade, and were considered an equal to the final master carvers, as they had to honor and fulfill what the master carver had created, and the head Master had designed.  How these pieces were dyed is not known, and has never been written down, as far as I have learned thus far, but the dyes are so stable that they will not come out with acetone, oxalic acid, bleach, vinegar, or anything else I have ever tried.  The original, old hand-tool marks indicate that this piece was from the earlier period of the Ming, as it is not as finely polished as were the middle to later Ming Dynasty pieces.  Also, inside the slide portion and along the leading edges, this exquisite example shows signs of natural degradation from extended burial.  It was  also hand re-polished well over a hundred years ago.  There was no wax on this piece when we acquired it, and it has been handled and polished by touch since then.  It has never been touched by modern diamond tools.  The scabbard wear on the inside of this slide is completely consistent with a battle piece that had seen a lot of use (extensive wear to the top right inside edge and to the bottom left inside edge), and the choice of fine jade would indicate this would not have been owned by a common foot soldier.  There was also a small break that occurred on the underside of the slide, either during battle, or when it was buried.  All but one small botryoidal fracture was polished away when the slide was re-polished.  This very fine example of a sword slide came to us from an old Naples, Florida Estate.  The previous owner was a Mrs. Walper, who had inherited it from her great, great aunt, Eliza Radcliff, of Toledo, Ohio.   Measurements: 3-3/4" long, 3/4" wide, and 5/8" high.               Scheduled: Big Sur Jade Festival Jade Cove CA. October 10, 11, & 12, 2008                      Third Annual Jade Art Now Show Feb. 7Th - 16Th 2009 See: jadeartnow.com or friendsofjade.org or see antiquitiesplus.com for details and updates This slide has also been authenticated by Dr. Timothy Jones, PhD, Anthropologist, formerly with the University of Arizona.  Dr. Jones has accepted invitations to the world's largest museum in Beijing, and has received privately guided tours of the Beijing Museum, which included some of the most treasured vault items hidden away from the general public.  Dr. Jones has directed the excavations and analyses of more than 20 major sites and 40 archaeological surveys. Dr. Jones now runs his own appraisal and authentication business, and is certified RPA-IAA.  Dr. Jones can be reached at 520-744-2766.  He helps in the verifications of all our later porcelains, as I do for him on the older items of Jades and pottery. He has no vested interest in our business, and we just truly enjoy each others company and knowledge. You may view this item or any of our other antiquities, fine art or artifacts at our gallery, by appointment only. We are Antiquities, Plus... David Fredericks 2752 North Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719 Phone 520-991-2153 Refunds will be made only upon receipt by us (within 14 days of buyer's receipt of the item), of a written verification from a major University Department Head, or Major Museum Curator from a recognized institution in the appropriate field. Note: For International sales, buyer is responsible for all import duty taxes. We do not sell off Ebay; please do not ask. Place a Bid!