Artist's water holder
Unknown Artist
Medium
Jadeite, shades of green, varying from very light green to very dark bluish-green, with yellow and rich dead-oak-leaf
Dimensions
H. 2 in. (5.1 cm); W. 3 3/8 in. (8.5 cm)
Classification
Jade
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Kangxi period (1662–1722)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902
Accession Number
02.18.431
Art Historical Context
Nestled among the treasures of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection, this delicate jadeite water holder, gifted by Heber R. Bishop in1902, exemplifies the refined artistry of China's Qing dynasty during the Kangxi period (2–1722). just 2 inches high and 3⅜ inches wide, its compact form belies its intricate beauty. Crafted fromite in mesmerizing shades—from pale green to deep bluish-green, accented by yellow and rich oak-leaf tones—the stone's natural variations are masterfully showcased, creating a lifelike, organic flow reminiscent of rippling water or lush foliage. In imper...