Blade thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Blade

circa 1900-30 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Translucent light brownish-grey. A pointed blade sloping from the two edges to a central ridge, which continues along the tang. At the junction of blade and tang is a band of criss-cross incising between incised triple lines, on both sides. The tang is pierced by a single conical hole. In front of the incising on one side is a fifteen (?) character pseudo-archaic inscription. The blade had been broken and glued across in front of the inscription. (This occured in transit from China, see RPs). The tip of the blade broken off after manufacture of fitted box, and is now missing. The fitted wooden box inscribed on the top of Han yu dao, 'Han jade blade', and Dong Wu Liu shi jia zang, 'Family collection of Mr Liu Dongwu'. (Not in Hummel, just in jinshi lists)


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Nephrite jade with carved decoration
Brief description
Blade, jade, China, early 20th century
Physical description
Translucent light brownish-grey. A pointed blade sloping from the two edges to a central ridge, which continues along the tang. At the junction of blade and tang is a band of criss-cross incising between incised triple lines, on both sides. The tang is pierced by a single conical hole. In front of the incising on one side is a fifteen (?) character pseudo-archaic inscription. The blade had been broken and glued across in front of the inscription. (This occured in transit from China, see RPs). The tip of the blade broken off after manufacture of fitted box, and is now missing. The fitted wooden box inscribed on the top of Han yu dao, 'Han jade blade', and Dong Wu Liu shi jia zang, 'Family collection of Mr Liu Dongwu'. (Not in Hummel, just in jinshi lists)
Dimensions
  • Length: 43cm
  • Width: 7.8cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
W.Zhou bronze type inscription beneath criss-cross pattern
Object history
Purchased from Francis W. Rubant, No 40, Sixth Main Street, Tsinanfu, Shantung, China.
Production
Fake, in archaic style, but probably late Qing-20th Century.
James Watt opinion 11/6/87: 1920s-19309s piece.
Bibliographic reference
Ming Wilson, Chinese Jades, No. 121
Collection
Accession number
A.29:1-1934

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Record createdMay 15, 2000
Record URL
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