Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1943.50.334
Title
Jade Openwork Pendant Showing the Figure of a Dancer
Classification
Ritual Implements
Work Type
pendant
Date
475 BCE - 221 BCE
Places
Creation Place: East Asia, China
Period
Zhou dynasty, Warring States period, 475-221 BCE
Culture
Chinese
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/204487

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Translucent, light yellowish gray nephrite with calcified white specks
Dimensions
4.3 x 1.9 x 0.4 cm (1 11/16 x 3/4 x 3/16 in.)
unspecified: 6 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. 412 by Max Loehr:

412 Openwork Pendant Showing the Figure of a Dancer
Thin tablet of translucent, light yellowish gray jade with calcified white specks, cared into an ornamentally conceived openwork configuration dominated by the figure of a dancer. This figure faces to the front, with its arms whirling over the head and across its hips, while its legs and feet, hidden under a long gown, appear to step sideways. To the left of the skirt is a small dragon figure, the head of which touches the ground; to the right, below the hips, we discern a small bird figure, which at the same time may have to be read as the fluttering ends of a sash. The sleeves, terminating in tiny bird heads, are marked by striations; the edges of the garment are accentuated by zigzag striae. On the back the same design is seen mirror-reversed. Despite its thinness, the plaque is perforated vertically, in a nearly straight line. Late Eastern Chou.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Grenville L. Winthrop
Accession Year
1943
Object Number
1943.50.334
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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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 (Cambridge, MA, Fogg Art Museum, 1975)., cat. no. 412, p. 282

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