Pendant in the form of a bird

Object Details

• Description

  The bird is presented in profile. The small crested head, large body and foot, and long, raised tail appear disproportionate. The lines indicating the wings and tail also suggest a lack of sensitivity to the overall scale of the piece. Perhaps the present composition is a re-cutting of a large original version. Circular perforations appear on the chest and tail of the bird. (Calcified; few very small areas of surface abrasion.)

• 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)

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

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• 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

  BCE 0s, BCE 1000s

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Western Zhou dynasty (ca. 1050 - 771 BCE), Art, Animals, Carving, Chinese Art, Nephrite, Birds, Jade

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Ornaments, Jewelry