the first of T-shaped form, worked with three trapezoidal flanges radiating from a convex circular boss detailed with facial features, the flanges pierced with apertures, the stone of a pale celadon colour; the second of rounded triangular form, the convex surface skilfully rendered in low relief with a stylised lion mask, the beast detailed with bushy eyebrows and bulging eyes, below curling locks of mane, the sides pierced with three apertures, the pale celadon stone with icy inclusions

There are tiny bruises and nicks to the edges of the harness ornament, the most significant measuring approx. 0.5 cm. There are also minute nicks to the edges of the reverse of the other ornament. Both pieces are otherwise in overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present jade horse-harness ornament is similar to lot 232 in terms of form, yet the central boss is detailed with a face and the flanges rectangular. According to Sun Ji, ‘Lun jinnian Nei Menggu chutu de Tujue yu tujueshi jinyinqi [On Turkic and Turkic-style gold and silverwares recently excavated from Inner Mongolia]’, Wenwu / Cultural relics, 1993, no. 8, p. 57, metal horse-harness ornaments with rectangular flanges appeared slightly later than those with flanges of petal form.  An agate horse-harness ornament with similar rectangular flanges, but of simpler design with an undecorated central boss and more obvious perforations, is published by the Archaeological Team of Heilungkiang Province, ‘Songhuajiang xiayou Aolimi gucheng ji qi zhouwei de Jin dai mu qun [Ancient Aolimi City in the lower course of the Songhua River and nearby Jing dynasty tombs]’, Wenwu/Cultural relics, 1977, no. 4, fig. 16 and p. 62.