Ornament decorated with human and beast masks, 3300-2000 BCE
Unknown artist, Chinaexpand_more
Calcified tan-grey jadeexpand_more
Bequest of Alfred F. Pillsburyexpand_more 50.46.230
On View in Gallery 215expand_more
The semicircular ornament bears a depiction of a stylized human face with only a pair of eyes but detailed, striated hair. Below is a beast mask dominated by two large almond-shaped eyes with pupils, a broad nose, and a mouth. This ornamentation is typical of divine figures on jades from the Neolithic Liangzhu culture, which flourished in the present-day lower Yangzi River delta. The design on this jade is a simpler form with neither bodies of humans nor beasts. Two pairs of holes along the edge of the plain back allowed it to be attached to other objects. Several semicircular ornaments with similar designs unearthed from Fanshan, the Neolithic site in Zhejiang, were found located near the deceased’s head, an indication that they might have served as hair ornaments.
Details
- Title
- Ornament decorated with human and beast masks
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 50.46.230
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.