Sword Fitting

Historical period(s)
Western Han dynasty, 206-9 BCE
Medium
Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions
H: 6 cm (2 3/8 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1939.28
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Jade, Weapon and Armament
Type

Weapon: cross-guard

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

To 1939
Zhang Naiji (1899-1948), Shanghai, China and New York, NY from at least February 1939 [1]

From 1939
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased through C. T. Loo & Company, New York from Zhang Naiji on April 17, 1939 [2]

Notes:

[1] See "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 Zhang Naiji and the payment was made on April 17, 1939. It seems that John Lodge forgot to record where Zhang Naiji purchased this piece, as he did not note that the "provenance was unknown," as he did with other objects, like F1939.27. 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.

[2] See "List of objects contemplated for purchase by Freer Gallery of Art," 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

Published References
  • Alfred Salmony. Chinese Jade Through the Wei Dynasty. New York, 1963. pl. 16, no. 2.
  • S. Howard Hansford. Chinese Carved Jades. The Arts of the East London. pl. 53b.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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