This Jade(Nephrite)  Rhyton is a cup ending with an elongated horned goat head.  The artefact  is elegantly finished with geometric designs of the typical Han Dynasty of China. There are many points of excellence in this Rhyton on close examination, classifying it among the top ten extant  Jade Rhytons. 

FAKING ANTIQUE JADE

Basically two ways to fake Antique Jade

01.Newly 'carved' and then artifically antiquated.All antique Jade over two hundred years were 'carved' without electrical tools and there is a vast difference between old and new tooling marks. Also note the same can be said for old and new polishing marks.

02.Moulded.There will usually be hundreds of copies before commercial feasability is attained. This means that in all the usual antique/flea markets of the world , a copy of the 'antique Jade' will be available. Also note that moulding Jade is different from metal where it can be melted and then solidified after cooling to form the moulding.Moulding 'Jade' will usually mean compression mould from powder or the new polymers.

Finally, as in the case of this Jade Rhyton,will ask the question. Can any modern sculptor 'carved' to this artistry and at what price?

To know more about Jade ,visit the Friends of Jade website given in the link