Jade Openwork Plaque of Intertwined Animals and Birds

Identification and Creation

Object Number: 1943.50.450
Title: Jade Openwork Plaque of Intertwined Animals and Birds
Classification: Ritual Implements
Work Type: ornament
Date: 4th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE
Places: Creation Place: East Asia, China
Period: Zhou dynasty, Warring States period, 475-221 BCE
Culture: Chinese
Persistent Link: https://hvrd.art/o/205062

Physical Descriptions

Medium: Pale green and whitish, translucent nephrite
Dimensions: 4.7 x 6.7 x 0.6 cm (1 7/8 x 2 5/8 x 1/4 in.)
unspecified: 32 g

Published Text

Catalogue: Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University
Authors: Max Loehr and Louisa G. Fitzgerald Huber
Publisher: Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1975)

Catalogue entry no. 503 by Max Loehr:

503 Openwork Plaque of Intertwined Animals and Birds
Pale green and whitish, translucent jade plaque consisting of symmetrically arranged, vaguely zoomorphous scrolls in openwork. The center is occupied by a small head of crescent-shaped outline; from it issues two bands ending in volutes at the top. The sinuous bodies of two dragons, whose heads, with their long, curled upper lips, appear at the sides, touch the central head from below; their tails, crossing over the bodies, form two loops and end in bird’s claws. Two S -shaped, bird-headed creatures are placed at the upper corners. The scrolls are textured by copiously but unobtrusively applied incised curls, minute cross-hatchings, scales, and striations. Both sides are identical. Late Easter Chou.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Grenville L. Winthrop

Accession Year

1943

Object Number

1943.50.450

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

THIS WORK MAY NOT BE LENT BY THE TERMS OF ITS ACQUISITION TO THE HARVARD ART MUSEUMS.

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Publication History

Max Loehr and Louisa G. Fitzgerald Huber, Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1975), cat. no. 503, p. 340

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

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