Arc-shaped pendant, with added decoration

A grayish jade musical instrument base, with green and fawn markings, of semicircular form carved with a central prong; top engraved with two masked heads: one surrounded by multiple lines in the form of wings, the underside with semicircular hole pierces as if to hold strings. (One pit in surface; few tiny nicks.)

Maker(s)
Artist: Probably 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: 4.4 x 6.3 x 0.5 cm (1 11/16 x 2 1/2 x 3/16 in)
Geography
China, Lake Tai region, (probably)
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1987.734
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Jade, Jewelry and Ornament
Type

Pendant

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

A grayish jade musical instrument base, with green and fawn markings, of semicircular form carved with a central prong; top engraved with two masked heads: one surrounded by multiple lines in the form of wings, the underside with semicircular hole pierces as if to hold strings. (One pit in surface; few tiny nicks.)

Published References
  • J. Keith Wilson, Jingmin Zhang. Jades for Life and Death. .
  • Kwang-chih Chang. The 'Meaning' of Shang Bronze Art. vol. 3, no. 2, Spring 1990. p. 14.
  • et al. Asian Art in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery: The Inaugural Gift. Washington, 1987. cat. 35, p. 79.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Jades for Life and Death
Google Cultural Institute
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