Figure in the form of a bear

A sizeable piece of jade is worked into a reclining bear with its forelegs pointing forward, left hind leg folded under, and right hind paw raised to scratch behind its ear. The massiveness of the animal is expressed by its formidable head and oversized paws. Each joint of the paws are carefully described, as are the pads underneath. Polished, sparkling hemispheres form the eyes, and a quivering upper lip frames a slightly opened mouth revealing two neat rows of teeth and a curled tongue. Thick fur ruffs frame the face, sweeping up in a continuous curve to meet small spiral-like ears at the top of its head. The roof of the head is slightly indented in the middle, and the humped back of the bear is outlined by a rounded ridge marking the spine. Subtle modelling of the back and rump suggests rippling musculature underneath. Occasional short incised lines indicate fur.

Historical period(s)
Middle Han dynasty, ca. 1st century BCE-1st century CE
Medium
Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 4.9 x 9.6 x 5 cm (1 15/16 x 3 3/4 x 1 15/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1987.25
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Jade, Sculpture
Type

Figure

Keywords
bear, China, Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), WWII-era provenance
Provenance

From at least 1964 to 1968
Desmond Gure, London, from at least 1964 [1]

From 1968 to 1987
Arthur M. Sackler, New York, purchased from Desmond Gure on January 10, 1968 [2]

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

Notes:

[1] See, The Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, Bulletin No. 36, 1964, wherein the object is listed in the catalogue as in Desmond Gure's collection.

[2] According to information provided by the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, October 9, 2009.

[3] Pursuant to the agreement between 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.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Desmond Gure 1905-1970
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler 1913-1987

Description

A sizeable piece of jade is worked into a reclining bear with its forelegs pointing forward, left hind leg folded under, and right hind paw raised to scratch behind its ear. The massiveness of the animal is expressed by its formidable head and oversized paws. Each joint of the paws are carefully described, as are the pads underneath. Polished, sparkling hemispheres form the eyes, and a quivering upper lip frames a slightly opened mouth revealing two neat rows of teeth and a curled tongue. Thick fur ruffs frame the face, sweeping up in a continuous curve to meet small spiral-like ears at the top of its head. The roof of the head is slightly indented in the middle, and the humped back of the bear is outlined by a rounded ridge marking the spine. Subtle modelling of the back and rump suggests rippling musculature underneath. Occasional short incised lines indicate fur.

Published References
  • Alfred Salmony. Chinese Jade Through the Wei Dynasty. New York, 1963. pl. 34.
  • Jessica Rawson, John Ayers. Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages: An Exhibit. Exh. cat. London. cat. 68.
  • Bo Gyllensvard. Celadon, Jade: Finds, Specimen, Scientific Results; Exhibition. Exh. cat. Stockholm, May-June 1963. cat. 14.
  • Desmond Gure, The Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities. Selected Examples from the Jade Exhibition at Stockholm. no. 36 Stockholm. pl. 8: 1a-b.
  • Chinese Jade Animals. Exh. cat. Hong Kong. cat. 41.
  • Les Trois Reves du Mandarin. Exh. cat. Brussels. cat. 33, p. 49.
  • John Johnston, Chan Lai Pik. 5000 Years of Chinese Jade. Exh. cat. San Antonio, Texas, 2011. cat. 45, p. 80.
  • et al. Asian Art in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery: The Inaugural Gift. Washington, 1987. cat. 68, p. 112.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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