Figure thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
China, Room 44, The T.T. Tsui Gallery

Figure

1127-1279, or later (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The function of small sculptures made from jade is not clear. They were probably used as paperweights.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Nephrite jade, carved
Brief description
Scu, China, carving, jade
Physical description
Pale yellowish-green shading into light russet, with brown markings. Seated in a stylised pose with the front paws together and those at the rear likewise, exposed to left of the body with the tail curling upwards between them. In part-archaising style with strong chest and head raised with jaws half-open in a roar, the muzzle blunted and head flattened, with conventional folds of fur behind the jaw; the underside flat.
Dimensions
  • Length: 11.9cm
Style
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee
Subjects depicted
Summary
The function of small sculptures made from jade is not clear. They were probably used as paperweights.
Bibliographic references
  • Oriental Art in the V&A, p. 20.
  • Ming Wilson, Chinese Jades, No. 75.
  • Rawson, Jessica and Ayers, John. Chinese Jade throughout the Ages, London : Oriental Ceramics Society, 1975 no. 254
Collection
Accession number
A.72-1936

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Record createdMarch 15, 2005
Record URL
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