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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 (Cambridge, MA, Fogg Art Museum, 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