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A jade pendant of a standing person that is pale green and brown in color and has been carved with fine lines to outline a wrapped robe, belt, draped sleeves, their face, and short hair. The head is large and round.

The jade pendant is of a standing person that is pale green in color with brown discoloration along the right side and bottom. It is shown vertically on a light grey background. It has been carved with fine lines to outline a wrapped robe, belt, draped sleeves, their face, and short hair. Their sleeves come together in front of their stomach. The head is large and round with a small mouth, round nose, round eyes, and a blank expression.

Gallery Text

In the Zhou dynasty the number of jades in burial sites increased significantly, as multiple plaques and beads were sewn or strung together and draped over the face and body of the deceased. Jades in the forms of figures and animals became increasingly realistic, and surface patterns became more complex and highly decorative.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1943.50.329
Title
Jade Pendant in the Shape of a Human Figure
Classification
Ritual Implements
Work Type
pendant
Date
475 - 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/204815

Location

Location
Level 1, Room 1740, Early Chinese Art, Arts of Ancient China from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Highly polished gray nephrite with dark brown markings
Dimensions
H. 4.6 x W. 2 x Thickness 0.9 cm (1 13/16 x 13/16 x 3/8 in.)
Weight 13 g

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Grenville L. Winthrop, New York (by 1943), bequest; to Fogg Art Museum, 1943.

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. 410 by Max Loehr:

410 Pendant in the Shape of a Human Figure
Highly polished gray jade with dark brown markings. The finely carved figure represents a woman in a long, kimono-like gown with very long sleeves. Its borders are set off by widely spaced striae, as are the cuffs, which hide the hands. The features are carefully modeled, with eyes showing the characteristically Mongoloid type of lid. The hair is neatly brushed back, forming a short tress which falls over the collar and ends in a flattish ornament to which a bow is tied. The sash is left plain. The figure is perforated axially, as well as sideways at the neck and below the sleeves; in addition, there is a wide transverse slot cut through the body. 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
1943.50.329
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. 410, p. 281

Exhibition History

  • 32Q: 1740 Early China I, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

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