China, 618-907. Each carved in high relief with a figure atop a ribboned mat, wearing long flowing robes with neatly incised folds. The set comprises two larger rounded-corner tuowei plaques depicting sleeve dancers in dynamic poses as well as ten moon-shaped and four square plaques depicting musicians and tribute bearers in seated and kneeling poses. Each pierced for suspension to the reverse. The translucent jade is of a celadon tone with russet patches, veins, and inclusions. (16)

Provenance: From the collection of David Taylor (1876-1958), passed down through the Taylor family to his descendants. David Taylor (1876-1958), a prominent British businessman based in Belfast, owned several commercial properties and a substantial portfolio of stocks and shares. During his travels to East Asia in the early 20th century, he acquired numerous jades, including the present lot. His grandfather, Sir David Taylor (1815-1904), was born in Perth, Scotland, and relocated to Belfast in 1842, where he served as mayor in 1867, and again in 1883 and 1884.
Condition: Superb condition, commensurate with age. Old wear, traces of use, signs of weathering and erosion, small nicks to edges, minor nibbling. The jade with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks.

Weight: 443 g (total)
Dimensions: Size 7.2 x 4.4 cm (the largest) and 3.9 x 4.5 cm (the smallest)

Jade from Khotan in the Tarim basin was plentiful during the Tang dynasty. It was fashioned into ornaments such as women’s comb tops and decorative plaques for belts worn by senior officials. The jade plaques in this set are carved in relief with images of dancers, musicians, and tribute bearers from central Asia.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related set of ten jade belt plaques, the longest 11.1 cm, dated to the Tang dynasty, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1992.165.22a–j, described as depicting dancers and musicians of Central Asian origin, probably of Kizil ethnicity. Compare a closely related set of seven plaques, together with a silver buckle, dated to the 8^th century, in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number 58.692a.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 1 June 2023, lot 319
Estimate: HKD 600,000 or approx. EUR 71,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A set of eleven white jade ‘musicians and dancers’ belt plaques, Tang dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related manner of carving, motifs, and form of the tuowei plaque. Note the size (the longest 5.2 cm) and that this lot comprises only eleven plaques.