Finial in the form of a human hybrid with dragon

The elongated jade piece was decorated identically on both sides, tapering to a pointed tang. The primary motif, stretching its entire length, is a humanoid figure with legs that end in large bird’s claws just above the tang. Sprawled along his back is a dragon. (Largely calcified; crack runs through midsection [old repair?]; nicks in tip of tail; cinnabar; soil adheres.)

Historical period(s)
Forgery in the style of Western Zhou dynasty, 20th century
Medium
Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 16.4 x 4.3 x 0.8 cm (6 7/16 x 1 11/16 x 5/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S1987.882
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceremonial Object, Jade
Type

Ceremonial object: finial

Keywords
China, dragon, forgery, Western Zhou dynasty (ca. 1050 - 771 BCE)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

The elongated jade piece was decorated identically on both sides, tapering to a pointed tang. The primary motif, stretching its entire length, is a humanoid figure with legs that end in large bird’s claws just above the tang. Sprawled along his back is a dragon. (Largely calcified; crack runs through midsection [old repair?]; nicks in tip of tail; cinnabar; soil adheres.)

Published References
  • J. Keith Wilson, Jingmin Zhang. Jades for Life and Death. .
  • New Frontiers in Global Archaeology: Defining China's Ancient Traditions [Quan qiu hua bei jing xia kao gu xue xin qian yan: jie du Zhongguo gu dai chuan tong]. New York, 2008. p. 310.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Jades for Life and Death
Google Cultural Institute
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