◇ Heritage No. :
◇ Collection Name:Jade Head of Auspicious Beast
◇ Historical date:West Han dynasty
◇ Collection Size:Width: 5.4-11.5 cm Height: 5.8 cm
◇ Collection Source:Excavated from the Tomb of the King of Chu at Shizishan
Jade head of auspicious beast is the component of the jade pillow. It is made from Hetian bluish white jade with fine texture and mild colour. Through skillful curving methods, the auspicious beast pattern was cured with wide nose, big mouth, long eyebrow, round eyes, curl horns and a crown on its head, whose composition is complex and accurate and whose lines is lively and smooth, demonstrating a sense of stateliness but without horror. The dragon-shaped jade decoration on the pillow is curved on both sides at first, then it is cut into two pieces, showing a very fine craftsmanship in that time. Though not being repaired, it is clear that the craftsmanship and the texture of the King of Chu’s jade pillow is better than that of King of Chu’s wives, which expresses the identity difference on funeral custom of Han dynasty.