Ancestor tablet

• 1. (Jeffrey Smith per Keith Wilson, July 16, 2008) Ceremonial object added as secondary classification.
   
  2. (Susan Kitsoulis per Keith Wilson, April 20, 2010) Object name changed from "Attachment" to "Ceremonial object." Title changed from "Handle" to "Ancestor tablet."

  3. (Najiba Choudhury per Keith Wilson, August 3, 2017) Period one changed from "Late Shang dynasty" to "Middle Shang dynasty"; date changed from "ca. 1300-1050 BCE" to "ca. 1400-ca. 1300 BCE"; from period two removed "Anyang period"; geography changed from "China, middle Yellow River valley, possibly Xin'gan" to "China"; and medium changed from "Jade" to "Jade (nephrite)". 

  4. (Najiba Choudhury per Keith Wilson, December 12, 2018) Added Translation by Jingmin Zhang; and added unpublished research by Jenny F. So.

   

Draft catalogue entry (no. 105) for S2012.9.292 for the catalogue of the Singer collection (1970--90); by Jenny F. So
Handle
Shang 商 dynasty, 13th--11th centuries BCE
Jade
Length 28.9 cm (11 3/8 in)
 
An imbricated pattern in low relief decorates the slender, handle-like object. The top section is plain, except for two raised moldings and a slightly thicker collar at the end. The lower end of the handle has broken off just below a small hole drilled at an angle from both sides. The execution of the subtly overlapping design is restrained, and the surface is ground extremely fine. The jade is now an opaque ivory color with bits of fabric incrustation on one side. Evidence of repair near the middle of the handle is apparent.
 
Handles of this type are frequently found in Shang 商 and Zhou 周 burials, but their actual function remains unclear.  Such elegantly decorated pieces usually are attributed to later Shang 商 and Western Zhou 周 contexts, while plain, shorter versions generally are earlier in date.

• J. Keith Wilson, Jingmin Zhang. Jades for Life and Death. .