Bowl and Stand

Object NameBowl and Stand

Date19th century

OriginChina

MediumNephrite

Dimensions1 3/4 × 8 13/16 × 6 11/16 in. diameter (4.4 × 22.4 × 17 cm)

ClassificationsDecorative Arts, Natural Substances

Credit LineGift of Ann and Henry Brunnier. In the Ann and Henry Brunnier Collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object number6.2.3ab

Status

Not on view

Collections

Decorative Arts

CultureChinese

Label TextDuring the thirteenth century when Marco Polo traveled through Central Asia, he observed a beautiful stone being removed from riverbeds and referred to it as "jasper," the European name used for jade until the sixteenth century. Today nephrite and jadeite are the most commonly used classifications of jade, distinguishing chemical composition. Although jade has been prized several cultures for more than 4, 000 years for its beauty and exceptional strength, it is most frequently associated with the Chinese. Their belief that jade represents virtues such as wisdom and loyalty makes it an appropriate medium for Chinese-carved imagery, so rich in symbolism and sophisticated in design. This nephrite bowl is in the shape of a blooming chrysanthemum, with several flowers cleverly arranged to create the two handles. Because the chrysanthemum symbolizes pleasant and long life, this object possibly is a marriage bowl. So thinly carved that it becomes translucent, the bowl has an aesthetic appeal due more to the stone and its subtle color variation then to the floral forms. This technique not only implies a highly skilled artist, but also the influence of Indian jade, first imported into China during the eighteenth century.

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