MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)

Details

A SET OF TWENTY WHITE JADE BELT PLAQUES
MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)
The set is comprised of two long rectangular plaques, rounded at one end; eight rectangular plaques of varying size; and six plaques of 'tear' shape, all carved and pierced with a dragon leaping against a background of scrolling clouds, with the addition of birds in the upper corners of all but one of the rectangular plaques; and four narrow, rectangular plaques pierced with a bird in flight above scrolling flower stems. Together with a similar 'tear'-shaped plaque with later silver suspension mount.
5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm.) the longest

Provenance

Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978) Collection.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Rufus Chen (陳嘉安) Head of Sale, AVP, Specialist

asianartny@christies.com +1 212 636 2180

Lot Essay

During the Ming dynasty, belt sets made of various materials including jade and silver were made to be worn with formal court wear, the type of material indicating the rank and status of the official. A belt of jade plaques, jade being considered the most precious material of all, would have been worn by someone of Imperial rank. A Ming-dynasty jade belt set comprised of plaques of similar design and shapes, in the Qing Court Collection, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures in the Palace Museum - 41- Jadeware (II), Hong Kong, 1995, pp. 204-205, pl. 166. Another, comprised of ten plaques, from the Mengdiexuan Collection, is illustrated by J. M. White and E. C. Bunker, Adornment for Eternity: Status and Rank in Chinese Ornament, Denver Art Museum, 1994, pp. 200-201, no. 113.

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