H x W x D: 19.3 x 10.3 x 2 cm (7 5/8 x 4 1/16 x 13/16 in)
Origin
China
Credit Line
Gift of Therese and Erwin Harris in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Freer Gallery of Art
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1998.6
Provenance
To 1994
The Estate of Blanchette Rockefeller, to 1994 [1]
From 1994 to 1998
Therese and Erwin Harris, Coconut Grove, FL, purchased at sale of the Blanchette Rockefeller Estate, Christie's, New York, June 2, 1994, lot no. 42 [2]
From 1998
Freer Gallery of Art, given by Therese and Erwin Harris in 1998
Notes:
[1] According to Curatorial Notes 4, Jenny F. So, March 3, 1998, in the object record.
1. (Jenny F. So, "Beyond the Legacy -- Anniversary Acquisitions for the Freer Gallery of Art," Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Gallery 13, 8 October 1998 - 14 April 1999)
This ornament for the front of a scabbard is distinguished by flowing, interlacing ribbons that terminate in budlike forms on the upper half of its U-shaped frame. Pairs of small holes along the frame's edge would have allowed the ornament to be attached to its leather or wooden sheath.
An extraordinary decorative element on this scabbard ornament -- two kneeling human figures whose profile heads rise prominently above the top of the ornament -- points further to its ties with ancient foreigners on China's borders. Each head shows distinctly non-Chinese features, such as a large, almond-shaped eye, broad nose, thick lips, and wavy hair gathered into a bun at the back.
Published References
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