H x W x D: 6 × 6.8 × 1.1 cm (2 3/8 × 2 11/16 × 7/16 in)
Type:
Weapon and Armament
Origin:
China
Date:
206 BCE-9 CE
Period:
Western Han dynasty
Description:
Scabbard chape ornament. Curved ornament (corner and edge chipped) of nearly opaque cream white nephrite; a mask and spirals in openwork and relief on either side; four holes for attachment.
Provenance:
About 1930
Reportedly discovered in archeological site at Shouzhou, Anhui Province, China [1]
?-1939
Zhang Naiji (1899-1948), Shanghai and New York, from at least February 1939 [2]
From 1939
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased through C. T. Loo & Company, New York from Zhang Naiji on April 17, 1939 [3]
Notes:
[1] According to information provided by Zhang Naiji to John E. Lodge at the time of acquisition, see J.E. Lodge's note, 1939, in F1939.6 object file. Zhang Naiji stated that he had obtained the jades, selected by the Freer Gallery from a group of about 350 pieces offered for sale (F1939.6-F1939.26 and F1939.28-F1939.33), at the places of their excavation. Lodge commented in his 1939 note: "I see no good reason to doubt [Zhang's] statement. I have, therefore, specified Shou Chou, or An-yang, or Lo-yang (Chin Ts'un) as the source of a piece in accordance with Mr. Chang's [Zhang's] designations given in my presence and recorded by me."
[2] See note 1.
See also "List of objects contemplated for purchase by Freer Gallery of Art," approved on February 1, 1939, Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List file, copy in object file. According to an annotation on the list, the purchase was made from C. T. Loo & Company, New York acting as agent for the owner and the payment was made on April 17, 1939. Zhang Naiji (also known as N.C. Chang) was a businessman, born to a prestigious family in Zhejiang that made their wealth in the silk and salt industries. He collected ancient Chinese art objects and Chinese coins. Zhang amassed his collection whilst living in Shanghai, before leaving for America in 1938. Zhang did not return to China until 1946.
While the earliest documentation of Zhang's ownership of the jade dates to February 1939, we know that he acquired the objects in China before his departure.
[3] See "List of objects contemplated for purchase by Freer Gallery of Art," cited in note 2.
Collection:
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History:
Chinese Art (February 18, 1983 to April 1, 1987)
Chinese Art of the Warring States Period: Change and Community, 480-222 B.C. (September 30, 1982 to February 17, 1983)
Ancient Chinese Jade (September 4, 1980 to March 6, 1981)
Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)
Chinese Bronze, Jade, Marble (March 1, 1957 to January 1, 1963)
Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 14 and 15 (February 25, 1956 to March 1, 1957)
Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1955 (October 24, 1955 to February 25, 1956)
Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Art, 1955 (August 26, 1955 to October 25, 1955)
Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1945 (January 9, 1945 to August 20, 1955)
Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Art, 1944 (November 15, 1944 to May 6, 1946)
Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1943 (March 22, 1943 to November 17, 1944)
Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Metalwork (March 14, 1931 to March 22, 1943)
