Straight chisel (gui 圭)

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    ca. 5000-ca. 1700 BCE
  • Geography

    Northwest China
  • Material

    Jade (nephrite)
  • Dimension

    H x W x D: 17.9 x 4.2 x 1.4 cm (7 1/16 x 1 5/8 x 9/16 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1935.7a-d
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1935.7a-d

Object Details

  • Calligrapher

    Box cover inscribed by Yuan Lizhun 袁勵準 (1875-1936)
  • Description

    Ceremonial implement; one complete perforation and a partial perforation on each side; color: deep cream and soft light brown, with a few streaks of darker brown.
    Acquired with a box, whose cover was inscribed by Yuan Lizhun 袁勵準 (1877–1935).
  • Provenance

    Huang Jun (1888–1944), Beijing [1]
    From at least 1934 to 1935
    C. T. Loo & Company, New York from at least December 1, 1934 [2]
    From 1935
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from C. T. Loo & Company, New York on February 2, 1935 [3]
    Notes:
    [1] Huang Jun, Guyu tulu chuji vol. 1, Beijing: Zunguzhai, 1939, pp. 6a b (ill.). The inscribed box cover published on p. 6b states that the jade had been acquired recently by Baichuan (a sobriquet for Huang Jun); the text was written by Yuan Lizhun (1877–1935).
    [2] See "List of objects owned by C. T. Loo, New York and [left by him] at the Gallery for examination on December 1, 1934"; copy in object file.
    [3] See C. T. Loo's invoice dated February 2, 1935; copy in object file.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Chinese Art (March 15, 1982 to June 15, 1982)
    Ancient Chinese Jade (September 4, 1980 to March 6, 1981)
    Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Huang Jun 黃濬 (1888-1944)
    C.T. Loo & Company (1914-1948)
  • Origin

    Northwest China
  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
  • Type

    Ceremonial Object
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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