This hoof-shaped jade is made of cyan jade and is in the shape of an oval hollow cylinder. The top is relatively large with an oblique mouth, and the bottom is slightly smaller with a flat and straight mouth. The sidewalls are thin and the edges of the mouth are particularly sharp.
Hoof-shaped jades were mostly handed-down artifacts in ancient times. They were once called “jade armguards” or “hoof-shaped devices” due to their unknown uses. Archaeological discoveries prove that this type of jade was only found in the large central tombs or high-level tombs from the Hongshan culture. They were mostly located beneath the head of the male tomb occupant, and some of them have two small holes at the mouth where a string can be tied or a hairpin can be inserted. Therefore, we know that they were used by people as headbands to fix their hair styles in place. The hoof-shaped jade has both practical and decorative functions. The hair can be bundled together, wrapped in a cylindrical hoop and rolled into a bun. The jade can then be worn on the head as a jade crown ornament.
In the late Neolithic period, a number of jade ritual vessels notable for their special purposes, such as serving as symbols of royalty and theocracy, emerged throughout the land. The Niuheliang site of the Hongshan culture is known as the “Center of Ancient Jade” with an astonishing number of jade artifacts. Inside the large-scale cairn cemetery of the site, there are a number of large tombs, each surrounded by many small tombs. Numerous exquisite jade wares are buried in the large tombs, with the upper sections serving as altars made of soil and stones. Near the cemetery, there are also goddess temples dedicated to sacrifice, which are ceremonial places with strong religious undertones and strict hierarchical privileges. The exquisite jade ritual vessels were formed during this historical period, and their owners were doubtlessly members of the nobility with high social standing. These exquisite hoof-shaped jade ornaments are the most obvious signs of these nobles’ status.