RZM Fine Arts and Antiques Inc: Ask the Appraiser

I found this piece of jade over 52 years ago while walking the shoreline of the Hudson River in Piermont NY along the Piermont Pier.  The tide was low in fact it was a neap tide which occurs quarterly and is caused by a full and new moon when the stronger gravitational pull causes very low and high tides so there is a larger river bottom exposed than usual. My wife and I were dating at the time, we had nothing to do that day, so I suggested we walk the low tide out towards the Pier, which I had done many times before.  

I always carried a walking stick and would kick up small rocks while walking that would usually expose small crabs and other “river junk” things, so as we are walking along I kick a rock up and see this green octagon shaped stone with what looked like a Nazi swastika carved in the center, its encrusted in the sand under the rock.  It was a pretty cool find; I cleaned it up and removed all the sand to see that it also had carvings that looked like a maze on it.  Knowing that German prisoners of war were transported via the pier to camp shanks in Orangeburg for processing I originally thought maybe some POW threw it into the river as he marched the pier! 

After we had Internet and Google, I learned that it was an ancient symbol for well-being or good fortune in many cultures and religions, and it is from way before Hitler took it for his symbol. And of course you provided a lot more insight at the library event. I have kept it all these years wondering how it got there, when and what it really is and where did it come from.  Is it possible someday to get a proof positive answer to these questions?

An interesting story indeed. It must have been very nice to grow up in Piermont in the 1970s. I’m sure you have a lot of great memories! The item you found that day, over 50 years ago, is actually a jade pendant, featuring the swastika symbol centered within a geometric pattern, resembling a Greek key design. In my opinion, this item had nothing to do with World War II German prisoners of war. I would like to point out the swastika is an ancient symbol with origins in various cultures across several continents. It is actually considered a sacred and auspicious symbol in Dharmic faiths, including Hinduism and Buddhism. The symbol in your pendant is typically oriented with the arms pointing clockwise, which is the traditional positive form of this ancient symbol. As we all know, this symbol was later co-opted by the German Nazi Party in the 20th century, which utilized a hook cross (in German Hakenkreuz), as its primary emblem. Thus, transforming this symbol’s perception in the western world. The item appears to be made of natural nephrite jade, possibly Hetian jade originating from the Hotan region in China’s Xinjiang province. The translucent color leads me to suspect this origin. It is likely a cultural artifact or was once a piece of jewelry. Based on some research and several conversations with colleagues of mine that deal in specifically in the Asian arts, the value of this interesting item is $1,500.00 USD. I do firmly believe however, that with your written provenance and perhaps local historical interest, particularly in Piermont, that this item could sell for even more. Thank you for submitting this item for appraisal and for sharing your detailed story relative to finding it.