Period:Shang dynasty Production date:15thC BC-10thC BC
Materials:jade, cinnabar (traces),
Technique:
Subjects:bird
Dimensions:Height: 6.40 centimetres Width: 3.80 centimetres
Description:
Bird finial/plaque of translucent green jade with brown speckling, areas of calcification with earth encrustation and slight traces of cinnabar.
IMG
![图片[1]-plaque BM-2022-3034.96-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Shang dynasty/Jades/203_.jpg)
Comments:The flattened bird in profile with hooked beak, notched crest feathers and curling bifurcated tail feathers with line-relief design for the eyes and three graduated cowrie-shell motifs on the neck. A volute denotes the wing and chest terminating in an angular tab for fitting purposes. Western Zhou. See Trousdale 1964, fig.12, Umehara 1964, Na Chih-liang 1980, Ayers and Rawson 1975, Lyons 1978, Hayashi Minao 1991e, and Rawson 1995. The bird stands upright and appears as a silhouette, with very strongly curved plumes behind its head, down its back and on its tail. It has a rounded head, a sharp beak and a small spiky plume. Below a rounded breast the foot widens to a rectangular tang that must have fitted into something else. The most unusual and distinctive feature of the bird is the edging of fine ridges. Fine ridges are also employed for the eye, a row of heart-shaped scales along the neck and a large scroll at the breast. Another small scroll decorates the leg. Both scrolls terminate in small relief dots. The very flat form of the bird and the use of fine ridges relate this piece to the earlier birds linked with the Shijiahe culture.
Materials:jade, cinnabar (traces),
Technique:
Subjects:bird
Dimensions:Height: 6.40 centimetres Width: 3.80 centimetres
Description:
Bird finial/plaque of translucent green jade with brown speckling, areas of calcification with earth encrustation and slight traces of cinnabar.
IMG
Comments:The flattened bird in profile with hooked beak, notched crest feathers and curling bifurcated tail feathers with line-relief design for the eyes and three graduated cowrie-shell motifs on the neck. A volute denotes the wing and chest terminating in an angular tab for fitting purposes. Western Zhou. See Trousdale 1964, fig.12, Umehara 1964, Na Chih-liang 1980, Ayers and Rawson 1975, Lyons 1978, Hayashi Minao 1991e, and Rawson 1995. The bird stands upright and appears as a silhouette, with very strongly curved plumes behind its head, down its back and on its tail. It has a rounded head, a sharp beak and a small spiky plume. Below a rounded breast the foot widens to a rectangular tang that must have fitted into something else. The most unusual and distinctive feature of the bird is the edging of fine ridges. Fine ridges are also employed for the eye, a row of heart-shaped scales along the neck and a large scroll at the breast. Another small scroll decorates the leg. Both scrolls terminate in small relief dots. The very flat form of the bird and the use of fine ridges relate this piece to the earlier birds linked with the Shijiahe culture.
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