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Carving of a Recumbent Mythical Quadruped

Asian Art

Jade animal figurines have been prominent in Chinese art since Neolithic times and are treasured for the association of jade with immortality. During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1911), economic development and increased jade supply led to the wide use of jade for luxury objects like these, which depict a lion-like mythical beast that first appeared in stone tomb sculpture of the Han dynasty (206 b.c.–a.d. 220) to safeguard the spirit of the dead. Although the figures were no longer expected to provide protection, they still had auspicious meaning. One of the beasts (78.85.7) holds in its mouth a lingzhi, a type of fungus also associated with immortality.
MEDIUM Nephrite
  • Place Made: China
  • DATES late 18th century
    DYNASTY Qing Dynasty
    PERIOD Qing Dynasty
    DIMENSIONS 1 3/4 x 4 1/2 in. (4.4 x 11.4 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 78.85.1
    CREDIT LINE Gift of Stanley Herzman
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Carving of a Recumbent Mythical Quadruped, late 18th century. Nephrite, 1 3/4 x 4 1/2 in. (4.4 x 11.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Stanley Herzman, 78.85.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 78.85.1_PS4.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 78.85.1_PS4.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Carving of a Recumbent Mythical Quadruped</em>, late 18th century. Nephrite, 1 3/4 x 4 1/2 in. (4.4 x 11.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Stanley Herzman, 78.85.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 78.85.1_PS4.jpg)