Knife pendant in the form of a tiger

A pale green jade stalking tiger, with brown and cream markings. Reported to have been excavated at Anyang. (Slight dirt adhering; excellent condition.)

This flat jade plaque represents an animal with only two feet, mushroom-shaped horns, fanged mouth, and a tail. Incised lines articulate the large eye and echo the contours of the horn. Pairs of incised lines demarcate the paws from the legs. A bold diagonal line appears on the body of the animal, running from the top of the forequarter to the lower portion of the front leg.

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Historical period(s)
Anyang period, Late Shang dynasty, ca. 1250-ca. 1050 BCE
Medium
Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 2.5 Ɨ 5.7 Ɨ 0.7 cm (1 Ɨ 2 1/4 Ɨ 1/4 in)
Geography
China, probably Henan province, Anyang
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S1987.839
On View Location
Sackler Gallery 24b: Anyang: China's Ancient City of Kings
Classification(s)
Jade, Jewelry and Ornament
Type

Pendant

Keywords
Anyang period (ca. 1300 - ca. 1050 BCE), China, tiger
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

A pale green jade stalking tiger, with brown and cream markings. Reported to have been excavated at Anyang. (Slight dirt adhering; excellent condition.)

This flat jade plaque represents an animal with only two feet, mushroom-shaped horns, fanged mouth, and a tail. Incised lines articulate the large eye and echo the contours of the horn. Pairs of incised lines demarcate the paws from the legs. A bold diagonal line appears on the body of the animal, running from the top of the forequarter to the lower portion of the front leg.

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