February 17, 2015 at 10:35 am

12 Exquisite Artworks Carved from Jade

by twistedsifter

 

Jade is an ornamental rock applied to two different metamorphic rocks that are made up of different silicate minerals: nephrite and jadeite. Last May, the Metropolitan Museum of Art released a collection of 400,000 high-resolution digital images. Be sure to check out the incredible collection here. The Sifter went through the MET’s amazing archive of over 2,000 jade sculptures and below you will find 12 exquisite pieces that caught my eye.

[via The MET Online]

 

 

1. Boulder with Daoist Paradise

 
artworks carved from jade at the met (8)

 

Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 18th century
Culture: China
Medium: Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions: H. 10 9/16 in. (26.8 cm); W. 17 15/16 in. (45.6 cm); D. 5 5/16 in. (13.5 cm)
Classification: Jade
Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902

 

2. Vase in the Shape of a Bird

 
artworks carved from jade at the met (3)

 

Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 18th–19th century
Culture: China
Medium: Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions: H. 5 5/16 in. (13.5 cm); W. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm); D. 2 11/16 in. (6.9 cm)
Classification: Jade
Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902

 

3. Belt buckle with feline dragons

 
artworks carved from jade at the met (10)

 

Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 18th–19th century
Culture: China
Medium: Jade (jadeite)
Dimensions: W. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm); D. 1 5/16 in. (3.3 cm); L.. 4 in. (10.2 cm)
Classification: Jade
Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902

 

4. Peach-shaped Cup with Saucer

 
artworks carved from jade at the met (6)

 

Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 19th century
Culture: China
Medium: Jade (jadeite)
Dimensions: Overall (cup and saucer): H. 2 in. (5.1 cm); W. 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm); Diam. (cup) 3 3/6 in. (9.8 cm)
Classification: Jade
Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902

 

5. Table Screen with Landscape Scene

 
artworks carved from jade at the met (4)

 

Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 18th–19th century
Culture: China
Medium: Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions: H. 8 3/8 in. (21.2 cm); W. 5 1/16 in. (12.8 cm); D. 1 1/4 in. (3.1 cm)
Classification: Jade
Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902

 

6. Horse Carrying Books

 
artworks carved from jade at the met (1)

 

Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 18th–19th century
Culture: China
Medium: Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions: H. 4 9/16 in. (11.6 cm); W. 4 1/8 in. (10.4 cm); D. 2 1/16 in. (5.3 cm)
Classification: Jade
Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902

 

7. Seal Casket with Cover

 
artworks carved from jade at the met (12)

 

Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 18th century
Culture: China
Medium: Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions: H. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm); W. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm); D. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm)
Classification: Jade
Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902

 

8. Covered Vase

 
artworks carved from jade at the met (7)

 

Date: 18th century
Culture: China
Medium: Jade
Dimensions: H. 7 11/16 in. (19.5 cm)
Classification: Jade
Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Stillman Harkness, 1950

 

9. Incense Burner with Ring Handles

 
artworks carved from jade at the met (5)

 

Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 18th–19th century
Culture: China
Medium: Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions: H. 5 9/16 in. (14.1 cm); W. 8 5/8 in. (21.9 cm); D. 6 5/16 in. (16 cm)
Classification: Jade
Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902

 

10. Table Screen with Tree Peonies

 
artworks carved from jade at the met (11)

 

Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 18th century
Culture: China
Medium: Jade (nephrite); rosewood stand
Dimensions: Diam. 11 9/16 in. (29.4 cm); Th. 5/8 in. (1.6 cm)
Classification: Jade
Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902

 

11. Elephant Carrying a Vase

 
artworks carved from jade at the met (13)

 

Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 18th–19th century
Culture: China
Medium: Jade (nephrite) inlaid with ruby
Dimensions: H. 4 9/16 in. (11.6 cm); W. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); D. 2 in. (5.1 cm)
Classification: Jade
Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902

 

12. Mountain Landscape

 
artworks carved from jade at the met (2)

 

Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Kangxi period (1662–1722)
Culture: China
Medium: Nephrite, very light pearly-gray with a band of light sage-green running through the center
Dimensions: H. 7 7/8 in. (20 cm); W. 10 1/2 in. (26.6 cm); L. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)
Classification: Jade
Credit Line: Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902

 

 

 

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