Pendant in the form of a mask, reworked

Object Details

• Description

  Plaque, frontal animal mask; low relief details in raised lines; pierced center; translucent, cloudy light green. (Interior cracks [crystalline condition, incipient calcification].)

• Provenance

  As Early as 1928

  Possibly discovered in Anyang, Honan Province, China. [1]

  To 1948

  ZHANG Naiji (1899–1948), Shanghai, China then New York, NY [2]

  1948 to around 1954

  ZHANG Mei Chien (1901–c.1955), New York, NY inherited upon her husband’s death [3]

  Around 1954 to 1961

  C. T. Loo Chinese Art, New York, NY likely purchased from ZHANG Mei Chien in New York, NY [4]

  1961 to 1964

  Frank Caro Chinese Art, New York, NY, mode of acquisition unknown [5]

  1964 to 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler, New York, NY purchased from Frank Caro Chinese Art, on August 27, 1964 in New York, NY [6]

  From 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler on September 11, 1987 [7]

  Notes:

  [1] The object is published in Archaic Chinese Jades: Special Exhibition (Philadelphia: The University Museum, February 1940), cat. 160. Unlike the other objects included in this exhibition, the author does not specify an archeological provenance. The author does, however, identify it as a Shang piece; all other objects identified in the exhibition as Shang were reportedly excavated in Anyang. Excavations at Anyang began in 1928.

  [2] 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, and acquired his objects onsite of archeological excavations (see: Alfred Salmony, Chinese Jade through the Wei Dynasty. New York: The Ronald Press Company, 1963: 115.).

  Zhang lent his collection anonymously to Archaic Chinese Jades: Special Exhibition. We know his identity through letters housed in the Department of Archives, The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (see: letter, C. T. Loo to Horace Jayne, 25 October 1939 and letter, from C. T. Loo to Horace Jayne, 16 December 1939), copies in FǀS COM provenance files. The exhibition was entirely organized by C. T. Loo & Company, New York. Letters exchanged between C. T. Loo and the director of The University Museum, Mr. Horace H.F. Jayne, reveal that Zhang Naiji owned the objects and C. T. Loo & Company had the collection on consignment (see: letter, from C. T. Loo to Horace Jayne, 28 May 1939 and letter, from C. T. Loo to Horace Jayne, 23 October 1940, copies on COM provenance files). C. T. Loo & Company kept the jade collection on consignment from 1940 through Zhang’s death in 1948, inventorying the pieces with a prefix “J” and labeling each item as “Chang Collection.”

  [3] ZHANG Mei Chien, Zhang Naiji’s wife, assumed ownership upon his death in 1948. She sold several pieces to Frank Caro, C. T. Loo’s associate and successor to C. T. Loo & Company. Date of sale unknown.

  [4] On September 1, 1952, C. T. Loo’s associate, Frank Caro (1904-1980) took over daily operations of the New York business, operating at C. T. Loo Chinese Art. Loo continued to play a large role in the business, as he and Caro struck a deal in which profits made on Loo’s stock would be evenly divided and Loo would maintain the lease and rental payments on the company’s gallery space.

  C. T. Loo Chinese Art kept the same stock number that C. T. Loo & Company assigned it when consigning for ZHANG Naiji: J-15 (see note 2): “Jade mask pendants. Buffalo, translucent. Shang. Ht: 1-3/8” (plural pendants is likely a typo).” See invoice from Frank Caro, Chinese Art to Arthur M. Sackler, August 27, 1964, copy located in object file and full copy located in FǀS COM provenance files. See also: Arthur M. Sackler’s 1987 gift inventory, Collections Management Office.

  [5] In 1961, Loo and Caro’s agreement ended. C. T. Loo & Cie., Paris, France took control of C. T. Loo Chinese Art, New York’s stock that C. T. Loo had added to the inventory before his death in 1957. Frank Caro then opened Frank Caro Chinese Art. Caro acquired pieces from Loo’s original stock (the mode of acquisition is unknown). See invoice referenced in note 4.

  [6] 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

  In Praise of Ancestors: Ritual Objects from China (September 28, 1987 to January 1, 1989)

  Archaic Chinese Jades, Special Exhibition (February 1940)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Zhang Naiji 張乃驥 (1899-1948)

  J. T. Tai & Co. (established in 1950)

  Zhang Mei Chien (1900-1998)

  C.T. Loo Chinese Art (1953-1961)

  Frank Caro Chinese Art (1962-1980)

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

• Origin

  Anyang, probably Henan province, China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Jewelry and Ornament

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 1000s

• Name

  Frank Caro Chinese Art, Sackler, Arthur M., C.T. Loo Chinese Art, Zhang, Naiji, J. T. Tai & Co., Zhang, Chien Mei

• Place

  China, Henan province, Anyang

• Topic

  Art, Carving, Chinese Art, Anyang period, Late Shang dynasty (ca. 1300 - 1050 BCE), Nephrite, Jade, Masks

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Ornaments, Jewelry