Belt Plaques
Place made:China, Asia
Culture: Chinese
Dynasty: Ming
Date: 16th-17th century
Medium: Jade
Dimensions:
Elongated tab end: 9.0x3.5 cm
Rectangular: three long: 7.8x3.6 cm/four medium: 5.7-6.2x3.6 cm/four small: 3.6x1.4-1.8 cm
Teardrop: six pieces; 3.6x3.2 cm
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, purchased with funds provided by the Bessie Timon Endowment Fund
Object number: 2021.1.3.a-r
Provenance: acquired in Hong Kong by Kaikodo from B. K. Wong in May 1997
Label Text
Belt PlaquesBelt Plaques
China
Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
Jade
Purchased with funds provided by Bessie Timon
Endowment Fund
2021.1.3.a-r
This group of finely carved plaques was once sewn on a belt for a nobleman or a high ranking official. The main motif is male figures playfully engaging with lions—a popular and auspicious subject since the seventh century. The figures wear pantaloons, tall boots, and wide brimmed hats; the lions, with giant heads, elaborate manes, and flowing foliate tails, are full of animation. Similar plaques have been excavated from tombs dated to the Ming dynasty. Jade has been treasured since the dawn of Chinese civilization. Confucius compared the qualities of jade to the virtues of a gentleman: wisdom, loyalty, justice and purity. Jade is a very hard stone; the delicate details on the plaques testify to the excellence of the carving.
China
Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
Jade
Purchased with funds provided by Bessie Timon
Endowment Fund
2021.1.3.a-r
This group of finely carved plaques was once sewn on a belt for a nobleman or a high ranking official. The main motif is male figures playfully engaging with lions—a popular and auspicious subject since the seventh century. The figures wear pantaloons, tall boots, and wide brimmed hats; the lions, with giant heads, elaborate manes, and flowing foliate tails, are full of animation. Similar plaques have been excavated from tombs dated to the Ming dynasty. Jade has been treasured since the dawn of Chinese civilization. Confucius compared the qualities of jade to the virtues of a gentleman: wisdom, loyalty, justice and purity. Jade is a very hard stone; the delicate details on the plaques testify to the excellence of the carving.
On view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
