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The Shield-Shaped Jade Pendant: A Singular Han-Dynasty Type and Its Later Revivals

The Shield-Shaped Jade Pendant: A Singular Han-Dynasty Type and Its Later Revivals Objects carved of jade often were placed in Han-dynasty burials of people of high rank. This article focuses on a small, shield-shaped (or “heart-shaped”) pendant frequently found near the deceased. The development of the type is examined through its appearance in tombs dating to the early Western Han through the end of the Eastern Han and extending into the immediate post-Han period. The typology of the pendant and its surface decoration are analyzed. This type of jade pendant resurfaced in the Song dynasty, but its most significant resurgence is during the Ming and early Qing dynasties, although by then its decorative features, as recorded in illustrations in books, appear to be more important than its use in burials. The article also explores the foundational years of collecting Chinese art in the West by individuals such as the sinologist Berthold Laufer, as well as other scholars of Chinese art, as they began to understand the shield-shaped pendant's origin as a Han-dynasty artifact and to explore its significance. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Asian Art Duke University Press

The Shield-Shaped Jade Pendant: A Singular Han-Dynasty Type and Its Later Revivals

Archives of Asian Art , Volume 68 (2) – Oct 1, 2018

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References (74)

Copyright
Copyright © 2018 Asia Society
ISSN
0066-6637
eISSN
1944-6497
DOI
10.1215/00666637-7162237
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Objects carved of jade often were placed in Han-dynasty burials of people of high rank. This article focuses on a small, shield-shaped (or “heart-shaped”) pendant frequently found near the deceased. The development of the type is examined through its appearance in tombs dating to the early Western Han through the end of the Eastern Han and extending into the immediate post-Han period. The typology of the pendant and its surface decoration are analyzed. This type of jade pendant resurfaced in the Song dynasty, but its most significant resurgence is during the Ming and early Qing dynasties, although by then its decorative features, as recorded in illustrations in books, appear to be more important than its use in burials. The article also explores the foundational years of collecting Chinese art in the West by individuals such as the sinologist Berthold Laufer, as well as other scholars of Chinese art, as they began to understand the shield-shaped pendant's origin as a Han-dynasty artifact and to explore its significance.

Journal

Archives of Asian ArtDuke University Press

Published: Oct 1, 2018

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