Fragment
Unknown Artist
Medium
Nephrite
Dimensions
a) H. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm); W. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm); Th. 2 in. (5.1 cm) b) H. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm); W. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm); Th. 1/8 in. (.3 cm)
Classification
Jade
Culture
China (possibly Turkestan)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902
Accession Number
02.18.100a, b
Art Historical Context
This delicate fragment of nephrite jade, gifted to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1902 by Heber R. Bishop, offers a tantalizing glimpse into ancient Asian artistry. Comprising two pieces—a thicker slab measuring 2⅝ × 3¾ × 2 inches and a thinner one at 2⅝ × 3½ × ⅛ inch—the object hails from China, possibly Turkestan (modern-day Xinjiang region). Nephrite, prized for its creamy white to green hues and exceptional toughness, was a cornerstone of Chinese material culture, symbolizing purity, immortality, and imperial power. In ancient China, jade carving reached extraordinary heights, with art...