Figure in the form of a bear

Object Details

• Description

  A sizeable piece of jade is worked into a reclining bear with its forelegs pointing forward, left hind leg folded under, and right hind paw raised to scratch behind its ear. The massiveness of the animal is expressed by its formidable head and oversized paws. Each joint of the paws are carefully described, as are the pads underneath. Polished, sparkling hemispheres form the eyes, and a quivering upper lip frames a slightly opened mouth revealing two neat rows of teeth and a curled tongue. Thick fur ruffs frame the face, sweeping up in a continuous curve to meet small spiral-like ears at the top of its head. The roof of the head is slightly indented in the middle, and the humped back of the bear is outlined by a rounded ridge marking the spine. Subtle modelling of the back and rump suggests rippling musculature underneath. Occasional short incised lines indicate fur.

• Provenance

  From at least 1964 to 1968

  Desmond Gure, London, from at least 1964 [1]

  From 1968 to 1987

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, New York, purchased from Desmond Gure on January 10, 1968 [2]

  From 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler in 1987 [3]

  Notes:

  [1] See, The Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, Bulletin No. 36, 1964, wherein the object is listed in the catalogue as in Desmond Gure's collection.

  [2] According to information provided by the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation,

  October 9, 2009.

  [3]

  Pursuant to the agreement between Dr. Arthur M. Sackler and the Smithsonian Institution, dated July 28, 1982, legal title of the donated objects was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on September 11, 1987.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  5000 Years of Chinese Jade (October 1, 2011 to February 19, 2012)

  Les trois reves du mandarin (October 22, 2009 to February 14, 2010)

  Chinese Jade Animals (April 19 to July 14, 1996)

  The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)

  Monsters, Myths and Minerals (September 28, 1987 to November 26, 1995)

  Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages (May 1 to June 22, 1975)

  Celadon, Jade: Finds, Specimen, Scientific Results (May to June 1963)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Desmond Gure (1905-1970)

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 0s, 100s

• Name

  Sackler, Arthur M., Gure, Desmond

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Animals, Chinese Art, Nephrite, Jade, Bears, Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Sculpture