A PALE BROWNISH-GRAY JADE ARCHAISTIC VESSEL

Details

A PALE BROWNISH-GRAY JADE ARCHAISTIC VESSEL
SONG DYNASTY

Of well-hollowed zhi shape, the exterior incised with a band of whorl motifs interrupted by the circular loop handle with curved tab projecting from the side, with a single incised line below the rim, the whole raised on a spreading pedestal foot, the semi-translucent stone with pale brownish veining throughout and some dark brown speckling, fine surface pitting all over, cracks and filled-in cracks--4 3/8in. (11.2cm.) high

Provenance

Desmond Gure Collection, no. 196

Literature

"The Arts of the Sung Dynasty", T.O.C.S., vol. 32, 1959-60, no. 281

Exhibited

London, Oriental Ceramic Society, The Arts of the Sung Dynasty, June 16-July 23, 1960, no. 281
Stockholm, Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Chinese Jades, 1963

Lot Essay

The movement during the Song Dynasty to imitate ancient Chinese ritual vessel types in jade is represented by this interpretation of the Shang bronze ritual cup called zhi. Compare the vessel of this shape with similar handle in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, illustrated by d'Argencé, Chinese Jades in the Avery Brundage Collection, 1977, pl. XXXVIII, p. 90-91, where d'Argencé notes that this type of handle was current in Song metalwork, as can be seen on a gold and silver-inlaid bronze hu in the O.C.S. exhibition, The Arts of the Sung Dynasty, London, 1960, illustrated in T.O.C.S., vol. 32, 1959-60, no. 239. Several other jade vessels with this shape handle dated 13th-15th century were included in the O.C.S. exhibition, Chinese Jade throughout the ages, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1975, Catalogue nos. 314, 322 and 387