Pendant in the form of a ram head

The object is sculpted in the full round. The eyes are in low relief, the horns are striated in a chevron pattern. A channel runs from a large opening in the back of the head to a narrower one that serves as the open mouth. Two more channels are below the horns. The stone is dark gray-green, largely calcified to buff. (Its right horn chipped underneath; pitting on horns and bottom; soil adhering; calcified.)

Historical period(s)
Late Shang dynasty, ca. 13th-11th century BCE
Medium
Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 4.1 x 3.7 x 2.7 cm (1 5/8 x 1 7/16 x 1 1/16 in)
Geography
China, probably Henan province, Anyang
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S1987.876
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Jade, Jewelry and Ornament
Type

Jewelry

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

The object is sculpted in the full round. The eyes are in low relief, the horns are striated in a chevron pattern. A channel runs from a large opening in the back of the head to a narrower one that serves as the open mouth. Two more channels are below the horns. The stone is dark gray-green, largely calcified to buff. (Its right horn chipped underneath; pitting on horns and bottom; soil adhering; calcified.)

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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