Plaque (pai)

Historical period(s)
Song dynasty, 12th-13th century
Medium
Jade
Dimensions
H x W x D: 7 x 9.1 x 1.1 cm (2 3/4 x 3 9/16 x 7/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1987.737
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Jade, Jewelry and Ornament
Type

Plaque

Keywords
China, Song dynasty (960 - 1279)
Provenance

From at least 1948 to 1968
Desmond Gure (1905-1970), London, from at least April 1948 [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 object to Exhibition of Chinese Jades organized by Oriental Ceramic Society in London in 1948, see Oriental Ceramic Society, Exhibition of Chinese Jades, exh. cat. (London, April 14 – June 9, 1948), cat. 128. See also an undated typed inventory of Desmond Gure’s collection, “List 2 – Objects Exhibited at Stockholm 1963,” no. 194: “A white jade plaque carved in openwork of a dragon and a phoenix – 3 ½ in. high – Sung Dynasty – Fitted box,” 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-1328 and identified as S1987.737.

[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. 158.
  • Doris J. Dohrenwend. Chinese Jades in the Royal Ontario Museum. Toronto. cat. 230.
  • Jessica Rawson, John Ayers. Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages: An Exhibit. Exh. cat. London. fig. 282.
  • unknown title. no. 36 Stockholm, 1963. pl. 28-3.
  • The Arts of the Sung Dynasty. Exh. cat. London, 1959. pl. 99, fig. 278.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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