Apsara (Buddhist Heavenly Being)

A pair of Apsarases (gold). modelled in the round n flying position with flowing robes; floating scarves and jewelled streamers in filigree work around bodies; elaborate crowns; wreaths of flowers around the necks; hands extended in front of face holding a single lotus flower; ears pierced for earrings; each figure supported by an intricate filigree cloud pattern.

Historical period(s)
Yuan dynasty, ca. 13th-14th century
Medium
Gold
Dimensions
H x W x D: 4 x 2.3 x 8.1 cm (1 9/16 x 7/8 x 3 3/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1946.21
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Jewelry and Ornament, Metalwork
Type

Pendant

Keywords
apsara, China, Yuan dynasty (1279 - 1368)
Provenance

To 1946
Tonying and Company, Inc., New York to 1946. [1]

From 1946
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Tonying and Company, Inc., New York in 1946. [2]

Notes:

[1] Curatorial Remark 1 in the object record. For more information, see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List file, Collections Management Office.

[2] See note 1.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Tonying and Company established 1902

Description

A pair of Apsarases (gold). modelled in the round n flying position with flowing robes; floating scarves and jewelled streamers in filigree work around bodies; elaborate crowns; wreaths of flowers around the necks; hands extended in front of face holding a single lotus flower; ears pierced for earrings; each figure supported by an intricate filigree cloud pattern.

Published References
  • Michel Beurdeley. L'amateur chinois des Han au XXe siecle. Aspects de l'art Fribourg. pl. 6.
  • Dr. John Alexander Pope, Thomas Lawton, Harold P. Stern. The Freer Gallery of Art. 2 vols., Washington and Tokyo, 1971-1972. cat. 106, vol. 1: p. 176.
  • Masterpieces of Chinese and Japanese Art: Freer Gallery of Art handbook. Washington, 1976. p. 26.
  • The Horizon Book of the Arts of China. New York. p. 276.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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