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

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
  • Whole object diameter: 21cm
  • Hole diameter: 10.6cm
  • Thickness: 0.55cm
  • Hole diameter: 10.6cm
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
  • Jessica Rawson, 'The Surface Decoration of the Jades of the Chou and Han Dynasties', Oriental Art N.S, 21.1, (1975), 36-55.
  • Bluett and Sons Ltd. Early Chinese Art, Cunliffe Collection, London, 1973, No.85, pl. XVI.
  • Rawson, Jessica and Ayers, John. Chinese Jade throughout the Ages, London : Oriental Ceramics Society, 1975 no.92
Collection
Accession number
FE.22-1984

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Record createdMay 9, 2000
Record URL
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