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Fish Pendant—Arc form (recarved from disc segment?); one contour edge rounded and one flat, split tail bevelled from both. Surfaces identical in design: single incised lines marking eyes and double incised lines marking head and straited fins. Traces of red powder in incisions and small patches of incrusted earth.

Chinese

Artwork Details

Fish Pendant—Arc form (recarved from disc segment?); one contour edge rounded and one flat, split tail bevelled from both. Surfaces identical in design: single incised lines marking eyes and double incised lines marking head and straited fins. Traces of red powder in incisions and small patches of incrusted earth.
16th century BCE - 6th century BCE
Chinese
nephrite
1 in x 3 1/4 in x 1/8 in (2.5 cm x 8.2 cm x 0.3 cm);3 1/4 in (8.2 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Caroline I. Plumer for the James Marshall Plumer Collection
1973/2.31

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Description

The heads of horses, deer, mules, and other animals which represented the status or rank of the owner often decorated knives of the nomadic tribes. Such knives were often exchanged with Chinese traders at the border in the Bronze Age.
Maribeth Graybill, Senior Curator of Asian Art
Exhibited in "Flora and Fauna in Chinese Art," April 6, 2002 - December 1, 2002.

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