Chime Stone thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Chime Stone

1800-1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In ancient times Chinese chime stones were usually made of stone, as their name suggests. Even when the supply of jade increased in the 17th century, jade chime stones were made only for court use.

This chime stone is no more than 2-3 mm thick and is also rather small to have been used as a musical instrument. Instead it was made as an 'oriental curio’ aimed at the Western market.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Carved nephrite jade
Brief description
Scu, China, carving, jade
Physical description
Like a carpenter's square, suspended from a jade ring of slightly different colour.
Dimensions
  • Height: 12.7cm
Style
Credit line
Bequeathed by G. B. Roberts
Object history
Bequeathed by Mrs. G. B. Roberts, accessioned in 1902. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Summary
In ancient times Chinese chime stones were usually made of stone, as their name suggests. Even when the supply of jade increased in the 17th century, jade chime stones were made only for court use.

This chime stone is no more than 2-3 mm thick and is also rather small to have been used as a musical instrument. Instead it was made as an 'oriental curio’ aimed at the Western market.
Collection
Accession number
1504-1902

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Record createdAugust 26, 2004
Record URL
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