Horse
Unknown Artist
1600s
Medium
jade
Dimensions
w. 3.4 cm, l. 6.5 cm
Classification
Jade
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Anonymous Gift
Accession Number
1952.480
About this artwork
In China, access to political power was granted to those who passed the civil service examinations, a system that offered official service only at a high level of education. Chinese literati-officials whose daily routine was administrative work in an office, enjoyed precious objects on their writing desks that offered distraction and demonstrated good taste. By the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, these utensils of the literati studio became also collectibles and were treasured a...