Cup (Bei)

Historical period(s)
Song dynasty, 11th-12th centuries
Medium
Jade
Dimensions
H x W x D: 5.8 x 10.3 x 7.6 cm (2 5/16 x 4 1/16 x 3 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1987.727
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Jade, Vessel
Type

Cup

Keywords
China, Song dynasty (960 - 1279)
Provenance

From at least 1963 to 1968
Desmond Gure (1905-1970), London, from at least May 1963 [1]

From 1968 to 1987
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), New York, purchased from Desmond Gure on January 10, 1968 [2]

From 1987
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, gift of Arthur M. Sackler on September 11, 1987 [3]

Notes:

[1] Gure lent the jade to an exhibition Celadon Jade at the National Museum in Stockholm in 1963, see Celadon Jade: Finds, Specimen, Scientific Results (Stockholm: The National Museum, May – June 1963), cat. 106. See also an undated typed inventory of Desmond Gure’s collection, “List 2 – Objects Exhibited at Stockholm 1963,” no. 168: “A mottled grey green and brown jade cup with circular ring handle and pointed thumb piece – 2. 3/8 in. high – T’ang Dynasty,” copy in object file.

[2] According to information provided by Arthur M. Sackler Foundation in October 2009, Arthur M. Sackler purchased the jade as part of Desmond Gure’s jade collection on January 10, 1968. See “Arthur M. Sackler Gift: Chinese Jades: Summary,” where the object is listed under Sackler Collection no. J-1313 and identified as S1987.727.

[3] Pursuant to the agreement between Arthur M. Sackler and the Smithsonian Institution, dated July 28, 1982, legal title of the donated objects was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on September 11, 1987.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Desmond Gure 1905-1970
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler 1913-1987

Published References
  • Bo Gyllensvard. Celadon, Jade: Finds, Specimen, Scientific Results; Exhibition. Exh. cat. Stockholm, May-June 1963. cat. 106.
  • Jessica Rawson, John Ayers. Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages: An Exhibit. Exh. cat. London. fig. 314.
  • unknown title. no. 36 Stockholm, 1963. pl. 26-6.
  • et al. Asian Art in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery: The Inaugural Gift. Washington, 1987. cat. 79, p. 124.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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