Pigeon

Object Details

• Description

  With its smoothly rounded, bald head and compact form, this jade bird describes faithfully a brooding pigeon drawing its neck and head into the swelling chest, hugging its wings tightly against the sides. The wings and tail feathers are described with naturalistic economy in delicately incised lines now greatly worn. An intaglio circle defines each eye. Five rows of short striations mark the back between the head and tail. Its folded legs with long sharp claws are rendered in low relief on the underside. The pitted surface and brown discoloration on one side indicate considerable age and wear.

• 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

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  900s, 1200s

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Animals, Song dynasty (960 - 1279), Chinese Art, Birds, Jade, Pigeon

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Sculpture