A RARE OPAQUE JADE RITUEL 'MASKS' CONG (或)新石器时期 良渚文化 神人兽面纹琮 China, possibly Neolithic period, Liangzhu culture Of long cylindrical square section, each projecting corner finely and precisely carved with two registers of stylized human and animal masks beneath two raised bands incised with parallel lines. The upper and lower faces feature small circular eyes, while the central face bears larger, protruding eyes. All noses are formed by small raised bands with rounded ends. The lustrous, opaque stone is of a chalky-white tone, suffused with buff-colored inclusions. H.8.8cm