Belt Buckle

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-clothing ornaments-fasteners

Date1644-1911

Made AtChina, Asia

MediumJade

Dimensionsa: 3/4 × 2 3/4 × 1 3/4 in. (1.9 × 7 × 4.4 cm)
b: 3/4 × 2 3/4 × 1 3/4 in. (1.9 × 7 × 4.4 cm)
a & b connected: 3/4 × 5 × 1 3/4 in. (1.9 × 12.7 × 4.4 cm)

Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih

Object number2017.11.30a,b

DescriptionDue to the tastes of the Qianlong Emperor and the importing of nephrite and jadeite from multiple regions, the Qing Dynasty saw a huge rise in the production of jade. The led to the production of all sorts of household objects made from the precious material. Milky white jade was mostly used during this period by scholars who preferred the older style of jade and believed in its spiritual properties: that it possessed five virtues conveyed in Confucian moral teachings, had preservative qualities, and was associated with immortality. During the Qing Dynasty belt buckles were made in the style seen in this example as well as in the style of archaistic belt hooks from the Warring States Period. Belt buckles such as this would have resided on a scholar’s desk rather than being worn.

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