木鉈|Polishing wheel for carving jade

Art Historical Context

This unassuming wooden polishing wheel, dating to the twentieth century, offers a glimpse into the meticulous craft of jade carving in China. Titled 木鉈 (mù tuó), it served as a specialized tool for the final stages of shaping and refining jade, a material long revered for its hardness and symbolic depth. Though simple in form—measuring just over four inches in diameter—the wheel’s design allowed artisans to achieve the smooth, luminous surfaces that define traditional jade works. Jade carving remains one of Asia’s most enduring artistic traditions, requiring patience and precision across generations. Tools like this polishing wheel highlight the behind-the-scenes labor that transforms raw stone into refined objects, from ritual ornaments to decorative pieces. Its presence in the Metropolitan Museum’s Asian Art collection, gifted by Joan Hartman-Goldsmith in 1981, underscores how even utilitarian implements contribute to our understanding of cultural heritage and skilled workmanship.