Ring (Huan)
400 BC-200 BC (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
A flat circular slab of jade with a large central hole is referred to as a 'huan'. It was a ceremonial object in ancient times, although how it was used exactly is unknown.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Nephrite jade, carved |
Brief description | Grain pattern; Scu, China, carving, jade |
Physical description | Variegated green. A circular Bi ring of pale green nephrite jade, pierced centrally with a circular hole. The outer and inner rims have a a lightly raised beading on both sides. Both sides are worked with 8 bands of incised curls in low relief. The flat outer edge has remains of tooling marks at one point. Both sides carved with comma (grain) pattern all over. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Gallery label | Ring with grain design
Eastern Zhou dynasty
400-220 BC
Carved nephrite jade
From the Garner collection
Museum no. FE.22-1984(2007) |
Object history | Cunliffe collection, Garner collection previously on loan to V&A |
Production | The fact that the spirals align in a cross-grid has been shown by Jessica Rawson to point to an origin in the Chu culture area, and to a date not before the late 5th Century BC. The large size also points to a southern origin. A particularly close parallel with this example, cited by Rawson, is from Yangzishan, Sichuan (published KGXB 1956.4). Lawton argues that the precise decoration of these Warring States jades shows a shift of emphasis from ritual function to secular luxury. |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | A flat circular slab of jade with a large central hole is referred to as a 'huan'. It was a ceremonial object in ancient times, although how it was used exactly is unknown. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | FE.22-1984 |
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Record created | May 9, 2000 |
Record URL |
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