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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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