G038 Agate Pig

G038 Agate Pig (Length: 6.08cm, Height: 2.30cm)

This agate pig is fat, pouting out of its mouth, small tail, short four legs and plump body. But without perforation, it should be ornament to show that it represents wealth. The ancients regarded pigs as symbols of wealth. Small jade pigs usually had holes and wore their bodies in order to bring wealth. 

In ancient times, relatives would not like to see the dead "go empty handed", because there is a "grip". In the Neolithic age, the "grip" was mostly made of animal teeth or shellfish. The "holding ceremony" of Zhou Dynasty can also prove that the ceremony of Zhou Dynasty has its historical basis. At this time, the Zhou Dynasty had used the jade pig as the "grip" for the funeral. When the jade pig is placed in the "grip" of the deceased's hand, or when the deceased's hand cannot bend, it is placed beside his hand. At this time, the jade pig is called "jade dolphin".            

In the Han Dynasty, jade porpoises were popular for burial, and they were much longer and not fat.     

But this jade pig does not wear, namely cannot make the high decoration. It is very fat and represents the furnishing meaning of wealth Fengshui. Because of a serious corrosion under the right corner of the eye, it shows that it is also a sacrificial object.             

Ancient times as funeral: contains things that will be loved during his lifetime. Therefore, this agate pig was not intended to be used as a "jade dolphin", and the "jade dolphin" in the Han Dynasty should be a pair. So this agate pig is more special grip.