Live Auction 21618Japanese and Korean Art
A GROUP OF THREE COMMA-SHAPED JEWELS (MAGATAMA)
Lot 2

A GROUP OF THREE COMMA-SHAPED JEWELS (MAGATAMA)

KOFUN PERIOD (4TH-6TH CENTURY)

Closed21 March 2023

Price Realised

USD 25,200

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A GROUP OF THREE COMMA-SHAPED JEWELS (MAGATAMA)
KOFUN PERIOD (4TH-6TH CENTURY)
The green jade jewel finely carved and polished, decorated with three incised radial lines running from a cord hole, applied with a modern gold fitting; the carved agate jewel finely polished, with a cord hole; the carved stone "child-bearing" jewel (komochi magatama) finely polished, designed with eleven smaller jewels on the back and sides suggestive of children
1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm.) long; 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm.) long; 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm.) long

Nagao Museum, Osaka, Japan
Previously sold in these Rooms, 22 April 2015, lot 5
Kokon, Inc., New York

Specialist note

The magatama (lit. 'maga': bent, 'tama': precious stone or gem), originate in the Kofun period (4th-6th centuries) and their curved shape is understood to have represented fetus. Magatama were used as both personal ornaments and highly-valued ceremonial objects - a source of spiritual power and good fortune.