Ten-tier tube (cong 琮) with masks

This slightly tapering jade prism, or cong 琮, is square with a thick-walled, slightly recessed projection at either end. Straight vertical channels separate ten superimposed decorative units. These units, each of which is divided into two symmetrical halves that meet at the corners, consist of two bands, separated by a narrow horizontal channel. The wider, upper band is decorated with horizontal lines and the two concentric circles that can be read as “eyes.” The lower, narrower band can be interpreted as a nose. The central perforation, which was drilled from both ends, does not join perfectly.

Maker(s)
Artist: Liangzhu culture 良渚 (ca. 3300-ca. 2250 BCE)
Historical period(s)
Late Neolithic period, ca. 3300-2250 BCE
Medium
Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 29.1 x 7.9 x 7.7 cm (11 7/16 x 3 1/8 x 3 1/16 in)
Geography
China, Lake Tai region
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S1987.887
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceremonial Object, Jade
Type

Ceremonial object: cong

Keywords
China, Late Neolithic period (ca. 5000 - ca. 1700 BCE)
Provenance

By 1936 to 1959
Diedrich Abbes (1866-1959), Greenwich, Connecticut [1]

1959 to 1987
Arthur M. Sackler, New York, purchased from the estate of Diedrich Abbes on July 10, 1959 through Frank Caro, C. T. Loo Chinese Art, New York [2]

From 1987
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Arthur M. Sackler in 1987 [3]

Notes:

[1] Diedrich Abbes's ownership of this object is noted in Stanley Charles Nott, Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages: A Review of its Characteristics, Decoration, Folklore, and Symbolism (London: B.T. Batsford, 1936), plate VII.

[2] See note on Arthur M. Sackler, M.D. letterhead acknowledging the "purchase and receipt of 17 pieces of stone carvings of the Shang, Yin-Chou and Chou periods from the Dietrich Abbes collection. The price in full, exclusive of commission, will be paid as indicated by this note in two installments," copy in object file. See also letter to Frank Caro from Arnold J. Bai of the law firm Goldstein and Peck, Bridgeport Connecticut, September 28, 1960, copy in object file. The letter asks Frank Caro to have (presumably) his client, Arthur M. Sackler, to send the final payment for the Diedrich Abbes Collection of jades to the law firm. Goldstein and Peck mistakenly identify Mr. Caro's business as C. T. Loo Company, when it was called C. T. Loo Chinese Art.

[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)

Diedrich Abbes 1866-1959
Frank Caro 1904-1980
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler 1913-1987
C.T. Loo Chinese Art 1953-1961

Description

This slightly tapering jade prism, or cong 琮, is square with a thick-walled, slightly recessed projection at either end. Straight vertical channels separate ten superimposed decorative units. These units, each of which is divided into two symmetrical halves that meet at the corners, consist of two bands, separated by a narrow horizontal channel. The wider, upper band is decorated with horizontal lines and the two concentric circles that can be read as “eyes.” The lower, narrower band can be interpreted as a nose. The central perforation, which was drilled from both ends, does not join perfectly.

Published References
  • J. Keith Wilson, Jingmin Zhang. Jades for Life and Death. .
  • Alfred Salmony. 3000 Years of Chinese Jade. Exh. cat. New York, January 10 - February 1, 1939. no. 121.
  • John Johnston, Chan Lai Pik. 5000 Years of Chinese Jade. Exh. cat. San Antonio, Texas, 2011. cat. 3, p. 38.
  • Dr. Paul Singer. Chinese Art: A Thousand Masterpieces from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections. Washington, 2000. cat. 11, p. 60.
  • Elizabeth Childs-Johnson, Fang Gu. Yuqi shidai: Meiguo bowuguan cang Zhongguo zaoqi yuqi [The Jade Age: Early Chinese Jades in American Museums]. Beijing, 2009. p. 121.
  • America's Smithsonian: Celebrating 150 Years. Washington, 1996. p. 183.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Jades for Life and Death
Google Cultural Institute
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