Sword pommel with dragons

Object Details

• Description

  Ornament. Perforated disk of translucent gray nephrite with dark flecks; center plug of another material; countersunk reliefs of dragons and spirals; three holes for attachment.

• Provenance

  About 1930

  Reportedly discovered in archaeological site at Shou xian, Anhui province, China [1]

  ?–1939

  Zhang Naiji (1899–1948), Shanghai, China, and New York, NY, from at least April 17, 1939 [2]

  From 1939

  Freer Gallery of Art, purchased through C. T. Loo and Company, New York, from Zhang Naiji on April 17, 1939 [3]

  Notes:

  [1] According to information provided by Zhang Naiji to John Ellerton Lodge at the time of acquisition, see John Ellerton Lodge’s note, 1939, in 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 [Shou xian], or An yang, or Lo yang [Luoyang] (Chin Ts’un [Jincun]) 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 and 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,” approved on February 1, 1939, cited in note 2.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  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)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Zhang Naiji 張乃驥 (1899-1948)

  C. T. Loo 盧芹齋 (1880-1957)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Weapon and Armament

• Restrictions and Rights

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 0s

• Name

  Loo, C. T., Zhang, Naiji

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Chinese Art, Western Han dynasty (206 BCE - 9 CE), Nephrite, Jade, Dragon

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Weapons, Armor (protective wear)