Ornament in the form of a seven-holed pipe

Green hetian jade with grayish patches and flaws on the surface has been crafted into a pipe with seven holes surmounted by a lobed plaque. The top is decorated with a pair of interlocking phoenixes, face to face, against a meander ground. A plain border encircles the edge. Two holes placed symmetrically on the top were drilled from one side. The seven pipe holes go all the way through their cylinders, which are incised with C-shape designs.

The pipe is a pendant ornament derived from a romantic legend about the phoenix, which was named for the court official in charge of music in ancient texts and often appeared in early art as a dancer. The motif on this jade is an interpretation of a four-character phrase chuixiao yinfeng (inviting the phoenix by blowing the pipes). Coated with color patches, this piece illustrates a twentieth-century fashion in jade craft.