Cylindrical bead

Detail of a pattern
Image 1 of 1
Download Image IIIF

Terms of Use

Usage Conditions Apply

At A Glance

  • Period

    ca. 2000-1050 BCE
  • Geography

    China
  • Material

    Jade (nephrite)
  • Dimension

    H x Diam (overall): 3.9 × 3.9 cm (1 9/16 × 1 9/16 in)
  • Accession Number

    S1987.935.2
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_S1987.935.2

Object Details

  • Description

    One of the fifteen beads found inside the bronze wine container you 卣 (S1987.968a-b); perforations drilled off-center from both sides; slightly flared profile; two simple bowstrings in low relief in the middle; even olive gray-green with dark brown streaks; chipped smaller end.
  • Provenance

    Reportedly excavated in Anhui province, China [1]
    From at least 1929 to 1941
    Mrs. Christian R. Holmes (1871-1941), New York and "The Chimneys," Sands Point, Port Washington, Long Island, from at least 1929 [2]
    From 1941 to 1963
    Holmes Foundation, New York [3]
    1963
    Sale, New York, Parke-Bernet Galleries, Important Chinese Art: Early Dynastic Bronzes, Silver and Gold...Collected by the Late Mrs. Christian R. Holmes, New York, Sold by the Order of the Holmes Foundation, November 14-15, 1963, lot 207 (ill.): "Fifteen Pale Green Jade Tomb Amulets."
    From 1963 to 1965
    J. T. Tai & Co., New York, New York, purchased at Sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, Important Chinese Art..., November 14-15, 1963 [4]
    From 1965 to 1987
    Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), New York, purchased from J. T. Tai & Co., New York, New York, in 1965 [5]
    From 1987
    Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler on September 11, 1987 [6]
    Notes:
    [1] The jade and 14 other jade beads, S1987.935.1-15, were said to have been found inside the bronze you, S1987.968a-b, at the time it was excavated, see Royal Academy of Arts, International Exhibition of Chinese Art, exh. cat. (London: Royal Academy of Arts, 1935-36), cat. 233.
    See also provenance record for S1987.968a-b.
    [2] The bronze with which the jades were reportedly excavated was in the possession of Mrs. Holmes from at least 1929, see provenance record for S1987.968a-b.
    [3] Mrs. Holmes had established the Holmes Foundation to continue her charity work after her death.
    [4] See Joan Marcia Hartman, “America,” Oriental Art 10, 1 (Spring 1964), p. 46.
    [5] According to information included in a document “Arthur M. Sackler Gift, Chinese Jades: Summary,” provided by Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, October 2009, copy in object file.
    [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

    Anyang: China's Ancient City of Kings (February 25, 2023 to April 28, 2024)
    The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)
    Ancient Chinese Bronzes and Jades (October 1, 1989 - September 10, 1990)
    Chinese Bronzes from American Collections (October 19 to November 27, 1938)
    International Exhibition of Chinese Art (November 28, 1935 to March 7, 1936)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Mrs. Christian R. Holmes (1871-1941)
    Holmes Foundation
    Parke-Bernet Galleries
    J. T. Tai & Co. (established in 1950)
    Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)
  • 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