Pendant with pairs of birds; reverse with a single bird

Wedge-shaped flat ladle handle with incised symmetrical design on one side and seated animal figure with beak on other side. Four sets of holes perforate surface on top and bottom edges, and upper and lower edges on animal figure side. Opaque, colorless glass with traces of red paint.

Historical period(s)
Western Zhou dynasty, ca. 950-ca. 850 BCE
Medium
Marble (calcite)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 6.7 x 7.1 x 0.9 cm (2 5/8 x 2 13/16 x 3/8 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Long-term loan from the Smithsonian American Art Museum; gift of John Gellatly, 1929.8.285
Collection
Long-term loan
Accession Number
LTS1985.1.285.1
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Jewelry and Ornament, Stone
Type

Pendant

Keywords
bird, China, Gellatly collection, Western Zhou dynasty (ca. 1050 - 771 BCE)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Wedge-shaped flat ladle handle with incised symmetrical design on one side and seated animal figure with beak on other side. Four sets of holes perforate surface on top and bottom edges, and upper and lower edges on animal figure side. Opaque, colorless glass with traces of red paint.

Published References
  • J. Keith Wilson, Jingmin Zhang. Jades for Life and Death. .
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Jades for Life and Death
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