A round sculpture of the flying goddess. Neolithic, possibly Hongshan culture. (North Olina) c.4000-3000 BCE [date under study].

The Neolithic sculpture of China has only recently been unearthed. Its discovery astonished the Art World. Their sacred jade figures are among the most creative sculptures in the history of art. The widespread looting of graves and endless recent fakes has made the dating of individual pieces quite difficult. Whether ancient or modern, this figure contains much of the spirit we know was at the heart of Hongshan sacred art - a dramatic shamanic fusion of human-ness and animal-ness. Bats are still "Good Luck" in China. (FLG)