Sword pommel

Ornament: perforated disc of translucent gray nephrite with dark flecks; center plug of another material; countersunk reliefs of dragons and spirals; 3 holes for attachment.

Historical period(s)
Western Han dynasty, BCE 206-9 CE
Medium
Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions
Diam x D: 5.3 x 0.8 cm (2 1/16 x 5/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1939.15
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Jade, Weapon and Armament
Type

Weapon: pommel

Keywords
China, dragon, Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), Western Han dynasty (206 BCE - 9 CE)
Provenance

About 1930
Reportedly discovered in archeological site at Shouzhou, Anhui Province, China [1]

?-1939
Zhang Naiji (1899-1948), Shanghai, China and New York, NY from at least April 17, 1939 [2]

From 1939
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased through C. T. Loo & Company, New York from Zhang Naiji on April 17, 1939 [3]

Notes:

[1] According to information provided by Zhang Naiji to John E. Lodge at the time of acquisition, see J.E. Lodge's note, 1939, in object file. Zhang Naiji stated that he had obtained the jades, selected by the Freer Gallery from a group of about 350 pieces offered for sale (F1939.6-F1939.26 and F1939.28-F1939.33), at the places of their excavation. Lodge commented in his 1939 note: "I see no good reason to doubt [Zhang's] statement. I have, therefore, specified Shou Chou, or An-yang, or Lo-yang (Chin Ts'un) as the source of a piece in accordance with Mr. Chang's [Zhang's] designations given in my presence and recorded by me."

[2] See note 1. See also "List of objects contemplated for purchase by Freer Gallery of Art," approved on February 1, 1939, Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List file, copy in object file. According to an annotation on the list, the purchase was made from C. T. Loo & Company, New York acting as agent for the owner and the payment was made on April 17, 1939. Zhang Naiji (also known as N.C. Chang) was a businessman, born to a prestigious family in Zhejiang that made their wealth in the silk and salt industries. He collected ancient Chinese art objects and Chinese coins. Zhang amassed his collection whilst living in Shanghai, before leaving for America in 1938. Zhang did not return to China until 1946. While the earliest documentation of Zhang's ownership of the jade dates to February 1939, we know that he acquired the objects in China before his departure.

[3] See "List of objects contemplated for purchase by Freer Gallery of Art," approved on February 1, 1939, cited in note 2.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

C.T. Loo 1880-1957
Zhang Naiji 1899-1948
C.T. Loo & Company 1914-1948

Description

Ornament: perforated disc of translucent gray nephrite with dark flecks; center plug of another material; countersunk reliefs of dragons and spirals; 3 holes for attachment.

Published References
  • Alfred Salmony. Chinese Jade Through the Wei Dynasty. New York, 1963. pl. 16, no. 1.
  • Edouard Biot. Le Tcheou-li: Ou rites des Tcheou, traduit pour la premiere fois du chinois. vol. 2, Paris. p. 5.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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