For thousands of years wealthy people in China have worn jade ornaments hanging down from their belts. These ornaments made a pleasant tinkling sound when the wearer was walking. In the last photo are two examples of such an ornaments called 'Pei'. The left one was discovered in the tomb of Gao Song, a powerful minister during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317 - 420AD). The right one dates from the Warring States period (475 – 221 BC). The object in our collection is made of jade which most probably was originally white before it was permeated by iron which gave it beautiful reddish brown streaks. We discovered this piece in Hong Kong in 1992. Perhaps it dates from the Eastern Jin period but we have always felt that a Tang (618 - 907AD) or a Song (960 – 1279AD) date is more appropriate. Width 5.0 cm. Height 3.0 cm. Depth 0.49 cm. Weight 15.3 grams.