Pendant

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-pendants

Date1644-1940

Made AtChina, Asia

MediumJade

Dimensions2 3/4 × 1 1/8 × 1 in. (7 × 2.9 × 2.5 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mr. George Brooks

Object number2020.3.5

DescriptionDue to the tastes of the Qianlong Emperor and the discovery of new sources of nephrite and jadeite, the Qing Dynasty saw a huge rise in the production of jade carvings. 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. There is a long history of jade figures in China, first appearing in the round in the Shang Dynasty (1600-1027 BCE). Pendants, particularly those in the shape of animals were among the most common jade carvings. The animal in this pendant has characteristics of multiple animals and has been described elsewhere as a lion-like auspicious beast.

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