Water Buffalo
One of the innovations of Shang jade carving was the creation of figures in the round. The artists further ornamented this water buffalo with spirals that recall bronze decorative motifs. They created the illusion of the patterns being raised by engraving the surface with two slightly beveled parallel lines. A hole piercing the figure’s mouth and lower lip suggests it was probably worn as an ornament or a talisman.
Artwork Details
- 商 玉雕水牛
- Title: Water Buffalo
- Period: Shang dynasty (ca. 1600–1046 BCE)
- Date: 13th–11th century BCE
- Culture: China
- Medium: Jade (nephrite)
- Dimensions: H. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm); L. 2 1/2 in. (6.5 cm)
- Classification: Jade
- Credit Line: Gift of John M. Crawford Jr., 1976
- Object Number: 1976.297.2
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
China
dated 1774
China
18th century
China
late 18th–early 19th century
China
18th century
China
1st–2nd century
Related Content
Timeline of Art History
Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.