Hen

Object Details

• Description

  Pale yellowish-green jade with amber streaks. A hen turns its head awkwardly back and tilted slightly forward so that its small beak just touches the tip of its wing. Its two-dimensional pose may be the result of a deliberate adjustment to the flatness of the jade used. However, physical details like the floppy scalloped comb, wattles below the jaws, and wing and tail feathers are described with care. Small incised circles form the eyes. Rows of short striations mark the neck, chest, and underside of the tail. The legs underneath, with blunt rounded claws, are rendered in low relief.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  Magic, Myths, and Minerals: Chinese Jades from the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (August 23, 2003 to January 29, 2006)

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

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

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

• Origin

  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

  900s, 1200s

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Song dynasty (960 - 1279), Carving, Chinese Art, Incising, Chicken, Jade

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Ornaments, Jewelry