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Six Dynasties Jade Mythological Beast

About the Item

Auspicious beast carved in green jade, Six Dynasties period (220 to 589 A.D.). The Sixth Dynasties, the period immediately following the Han Dynasty, saw a shift from a profound belief in the afterlife to a more humanistic and Confucian set of principles. Gradually dissociated from animistic properties, jade ornaments in the shapes of the dragon, phoenix, tiger, and eagle, as well as other mythological beasts, took on new interpretations as Confucian gentlemen’s virtues: benevolence, rectitude, wisdom, courage, and integrity. This animal is one of the auspicious creatures figured in Han funerary art that continued to enjoy popularity in later tomb sculpture. Though lying down, the animal looks poised to spring at any moment, its paws tucked under its chest, the claws prominent, the long tail tightly curled over the left haunch. The emphasis is put on its strength and compressed muscular energy. The head is somewhat dragon-shaped, with a horse-like nose surmounting an open mouth with visible teeth and fangs, the chin adorned with a goat's beard, the hairs denoted by incised lines. Incised lines also suggest tufts of fur on the scruff around the face, on the backs of the legs, and top of the head, with some markings over the eyes recalling eyebrows. The paws have teardrop-shaped pads, and there are some additional decorative patterns on the body. The light green of the jade is extensively mottled with white and tan patches. Given its complex mineralogical composition, jade is not a “dead” stone, but a material which is alive, whose structure changes over time depending on how it is affected by environmental conditions. Jade interacts with and reacts to light, air, water, fire, and the acidity of the soil. and contact with water, which may percolate inside the jade through natural fractures and fissures in the stone. Whitening is a common alteration that affects jade as a consequence of a weathering process that may occur over time when jade is buried. The intensity of these phenomena depends on the mineralogical composition of the jade and the natural environment in which it was buried.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1.3 in (3.31 cm)Width: 2.38 in (6.05 cm)Depth: 1.13 in (2.88 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    220-589 A.D.
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Atlanta, GA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 54391stDibs: LU7220243307632

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