Flying Deity

Object Details

• Description

  A youthful flying deity, or feitian (sometimes called an apsaras), with hair arranged in three tufts, holds a lotus bud in its right hand. The presentation of the figure, as seen from the front and from behind, clearly establishes the front and back surfaces of the ornament. The overall semi-circular contours of the ornament, evidently dictated by the shape of the original jade, is echoed in the arc of the youthful figure. Flowing draperies, scarves and stylized clouds lend the composition a sense of bouyant movement. The soles of the figure's feet are summarily indicated and presented as if from underneath.The jade artisan incorporated the brownish color of the outer "skin" of the stone in the stylized clouds, the feet and the ends of the drapery scarves.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of The Honorable and Mrs. Hugh Scott

• Type

  Jewelry and Ornament

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

  The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  600s, 1100s

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Carving, Daoism, Chinese Art, Nephrite, Tang dynasty (618 - 907), Jade

• Culture

  Buddhists, Chinese, Apsarases

• Object Type

  Ornaments, Jewelry