Object: Knife-shaped tablet (kuei) F1916.624a-b

Classification: Ceremonial Object

Historical period(s): Qing dynasty, 1644-1911

Object Date: 1644-1911

Medium: Jade (nephrite)

Dimension(s): H x W: 27.6 x 7.1 cm (10 7/8 x 2 13/16 in)

Origin: China

Credit Line: Gift of Charles Lang Freer

Collection: Freer Gallery of Art Collection

Accession Number: F1916.624a-b

Provenance: To 1916
Wang Jiantang, Shanghai to 1916 [1]

From 1916 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Wang Jiantang in 1916 [2]

From 1920
The Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

Notes:

[1] See Reserved Miscellaneous List, R. 6603, pg. 13, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

[2] See note 1.

[3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

Previous owner(s): Wang Jiantang 王鑑堂 (C.L. Freer source) (late 19th-early 20th century)
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

Curatorial Remarks

1. Bought from K. T. Wong, of Shanghai. For price, see R. 6603, Reserved Miscellaneous List, p. 13.

2. Original attribution: Chou. See above reference.

3. (A. G. Wenley, 1946) Period uncertain.

4. (A. G. Wenley, 1946) This piece looks reworked, was probably broken and the edge ground down.

5. Sp. G. is 2.868.

6. (E. H. West, 1956) X-ray diffraction analysis. Nephrite. Film F158. 4/16/56.

7. (T. Lawton, 1978) Attribution changed from "Period uncertain" to "Ch'ing".

8. (J. Smith per Stephen Allee, 7/24/2008) Ceremonial Object added as secondary classification.

Published References: Published References are currently unavailable.

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Knife-shaped tablet (kuei)

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