Finial (?) in the form of a standing bird

Jade handle has bird with delicate features etched onto surface. Bird has incised eyes, beak, legs and claws with crossed wings circling around back of handle. (Spotty calcification with brownish-colored areas on bottom. Straight brown line on chest of bird.)

Maker(s)
Artist: Shijiahe culture 石家河 (ca. 2500-ca. 2000 BCE)
Historical period(s)
Late Neolithic period, ca. 2500 - 2000 BCE
Medium
Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 10.4 x 1.6 x 1.6 cm (4 1/8 x 5/8 x 5/8 in)
Geography
China, Middle Yangzi valley, Hubei province
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S1987.930
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Jade, Jewelry and Ornament
Type

Finial

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

Jade handle has bird with delicate features etched onto surface. Bird has incised eyes, beak, legs and claws with crossed wings circling around back of handle. (Spotty calcification with brownish-colored areas on bottom. Straight brown line on chest of bird.)

Published References
  • J. Keith Wilson, Jingmin Zhang. Jades for Life and Death. .
  • John Johnston, Chan Lai Pik. 5000 Years of Chinese Jade. Exh. cat. San Antonio, Texas, 2011. cat. 8, p. 43.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Jades for Life and Death
Google Cultural Institute
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