katharath
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2013
- Messages
- 2,850
Hi everyone,
This may not be the most appropriate place to put this post, but I'm most comfortable in this forum, and I *am* asking about a colored gem (jade)
Some background: these figures have been in my family for a couple of generations, and my parents have had them since I was a baby (so over 30+ years). I've always loved them, I don't really know why...but as a child I thought they were very special. My parents had always told me that "one day" they would give them to me, and kind of out of nowhere they just decided to give them to me now. I was so excited to have them! They have great sentimental value to me. I love their little faces, the smooth heavy feel of them, etc...
So, onto the figures: I have little to no info about them, despite having had them in the family for some time. My parents have always told me that they were "jade Chinese lions". (I made up my own name for them 20+ years ago after reading all of the Anne of Green Gables books - I call them Gog and Magog after some Chinese statues than Anne encounters and loves...kind of silly, I know, but it's my own little thing). These belonged to a family member before my parents had them, but that person is long since gone, and left no other info about them that we know of. I've just been told that they are antiques and made of jade...that's it.
I've tried to research them online over the years and have seen many many "jade" figures, and I'm assuming that these are supposed to be chinese foo dogs. But I have no idea how old they actually are, or if they are even jade. Both figures are fairly large and rather heavy, about 3 lbs each. You can see the scale of them when I'm holding them in my hand. The condition of them is, imo, VERY poor. There are MANY chips, cracks, and actual pieces chipped off and missing. It's pretty extensive damage. One is in better condition than the other, but still pretty poor. From the pics it looks like one is darker than the other, but that's not nearly as noticeable IRL. Also I think it's more dirt than actual discoloration that you can see in the pics - I gave no idea when these were last cleaned, but for various reasons, they've been in storage for ages.
Due to the poor condition, I think that despite the fact that they are large, heavy, and a matched pair, I can't imagine they could be worth that much monetarily, even if they are actual jade. It doesn't really matter, as I'd never sell them. I'm mainly posting today to share my enjoyment of them, but also to ask if anyone has any opinions on what they might be carved from? Or if anyone knows anything about these types of carvings, I'd love to know anything at all - I wish I knew how old they really were! The carvings are very weathered but you can still make out some nice detailing, especially in the tail areas, the ears, etc - their faces aren't as sharp as those areas.
Last thing - I can see some rainbow like areas in a couple of places, which I will include pics of for reference. I am wondering - does jade even have this iridescent effect? If it's not jade, what else could it be? In many places the material is extremely clear, but all of the cracks, etc, make it more difficult to evaluate things.
Any thoughts or comments appreciated!! Pics coming now:
This may not be the most appropriate place to put this post, but I'm most comfortable in this forum, and I *am* asking about a colored gem (jade)
Some background: these figures have been in my family for a couple of generations, and my parents have had them since I was a baby (so over 30+ years). I've always loved them, I don't really know why...but as a child I thought they were very special. My parents had always told me that "one day" they would give them to me, and kind of out of nowhere they just decided to give them to me now. I was so excited to have them! They have great sentimental value to me. I love their little faces, the smooth heavy feel of them, etc...
So, onto the figures: I have little to no info about them, despite having had them in the family for some time. My parents have always told me that they were "jade Chinese lions". (I made up my own name for them 20+ years ago after reading all of the Anne of Green Gables books - I call them Gog and Magog after some Chinese statues than Anne encounters and loves...kind of silly, I know, but it's my own little thing). These belonged to a family member before my parents had them, but that person is long since gone, and left no other info about them that we know of. I've just been told that they are antiques and made of jade...that's it.
I've tried to research them online over the years and have seen many many "jade" figures, and I'm assuming that these are supposed to be chinese foo dogs. But I have no idea how old they actually are, or if they are even jade. Both figures are fairly large and rather heavy, about 3 lbs each. You can see the scale of them when I'm holding them in my hand. The condition of them is, imo, VERY poor. There are MANY chips, cracks, and actual pieces chipped off and missing. It's pretty extensive damage. One is in better condition than the other, but still pretty poor. From the pics it looks like one is darker than the other, but that's not nearly as noticeable IRL. Also I think it's more dirt than actual discoloration that you can see in the pics - I gave no idea when these were last cleaned, but for various reasons, they've been in storage for ages.
Due to the poor condition, I think that despite the fact that they are large, heavy, and a matched pair, I can't imagine they could be worth that much monetarily, even if they are actual jade. It doesn't really matter, as I'd never sell them. I'm mainly posting today to share my enjoyment of them, but also to ask if anyone has any opinions on what they might be carved from? Or if anyone knows anything about these types of carvings, I'd love to know anything at all - I wish I knew how old they really were! The carvings are very weathered but you can still make out some nice detailing, especially in the tail areas, the ears, etc - their faces aren't as sharp as those areas.
Last thing - I can see some rainbow like areas in a couple of places, which I will include pics of for reference. I am wondering - does jade even have this iridescent effect? If it's not jade, what else could it be? In many places the material is extremely clear, but all of the cracks, etc, make it more difficult to evaluate things.
Any thoughts or comments appreciated!! Pics coming now:
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