Ten-tier tube (cong 琮) with masks

Object Details

• Description

  This slightly tapering jade prism, or cong 琮, is square with a thick-walled, slightly recessed projection at either end. Straight vertical channels separate ten superimposed decorative units. These units, each of which is divided into two symmetrical halves that meet at the corners, consist of two bands, separated by a narrow horizontal channel. The wider, upper band is decorated with horizontal lines and the two concentric circles that can be read as “eyes.” The lower, narrower band can be interpreted as a nose. The central perforation, which was drilled from both ends, does not join perfectly.

• Provenance

  By 1936 to 1959

  Diedrich Abbes (1866-1959), Greenwich, Connecticut [1]

  1959 to 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler, New York, purchased from the estate of Diedrich Abbes on July 10, 1959 through Frank Caro, C. T. Loo Chinese Art, New York [2]

  From 1987

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

  Notes:

  [1] Diedrich Abbes's ownership of this object is noted in Stanley Charles Nott, Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages: A Review of its Characteristics, Decoration, Folklore, and Symbolism (London: B.T. Batsford, 1936), plate VII.

  [2] See note on Arthur M. Sackler, M.D. letterhead acknowledging the "purchase and receipt of 17 pieces of stone carvings of the Shang, Yin-Chou and Chou periods from the Dietrich Abbes collection. The price in full, exclusive of commission, will be paid as indicated by this note in two installments," copy in object file. See also letter to Frank Caro from Arnold J. Bai of the law firm Goldstein and Peck, Bridgeport Connecticut, September 28, 1960, copy in object file. The letter asks Frank Caro to have (presumably) his client, Arthur M. Sackler, to send the final payment for the Diedrich Abbes Collection of jades to the law firm. Goldstein and Peck mistakenly identify Mr. Caro's business as C. T. Loo Company, when it was called C. T. Loo Chinese Art.

  [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)

  Asia in America: Views of Chinese Art from the Indianapolis Museum of Art (September 18, 2004 to March 20, 2005)

  America's Smithsonian (February 9 to August 26, 1997)

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

  3000 Years of Chinese Jade (January 10 to February 11, 1939)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Diedrich Abbes (1866-1959)

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

• Origin

  Lake Tai region, China

• Culture

  Liangzhu culture, ca. 3300-ca. 2250 BCE

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Ceremonial Object

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 2000s, BCE 3000s

• Name

  Abbes, Diedrich, Sackler, Arthur M.

• Place

  Lake Tai region, China

• Topic

  Art, Late Neolithic period (ca. 5000 - ca. 1700 BCE), Chinese Art, Nephrite, Jade

• Culture

  Chinese, Liangzhu culture

• Object Type

  Ceremonial objects