Ancestor tablet

Object Details

• Description

  Six tiers of leaves or scales rise up each side of the jade handle. Each tier is separated from the one adjacent to it by a narrow vertical band running up the center of each side. The tip of the handle is an inverted truncated pyramid. The tectiform bar at the top of the handle is ground to a thin edge. Two horizontal raised thread-bands decorate the concave space between the tectiform bar and the tiers of leaves. (Crack/separation on end, reverse; calcification clouding.)

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  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

  Ceremonial Object

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 1000s

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Middle Shang dynasty (ca. 1400 - 1300 BCE), Art, Chinese Art, Nephrite, Jade

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Ceremonial objects