Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Shown in a recumbent position with head resting on its front paws and tail tucked under the body, with bulbous eyes, floppy ears, slightly knobby backbone and scrolls outlining the haunches, the stone of pale yellow, pale brown and dark brown color.
Mythical Beast
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Randy Batista

Mythical Beast

Artist Chinese Artist
DateYuan and Ming dynasty (1279-1644)
Place of originChina, Asia
MediumOpaque, grey-green nephrite with brown veining and inclusions
Dimensions1 1/4 x 3 3/16 x 1 3/4 in. (3.2 x 8.1 x 4.4 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineBequest of Dr. David A. Cofrin
Object number2009.48.285
Collections
Visual DescriptionShown in a recumbent position with head resting on its front paws and tail tucked under the body, with bulbous eyes, floppy ears, slightly knobby backbone and scrolls outlining the haunches, the stone of pale yellow, pale brown and dark brown color.
cleverly carved using the natural inclusions of the stone, its head turned to one side, its combed mane trailing over its ribbed back, opposite the tail flicked to one side, the underside detailed with padded paws, the stone of mottled brown, beige and white tones
Crouching Beast
Chinese Artist
Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
The graceful greyhound shown in a recumbent position with forepaws crossed and back legs tucked beneath the body, with long ears and coiled tail, one end of the long, bell-hung ribbon tied around the arched neck trailing beneath the belly, the slender body carved with pronounced ribs and backbone, the stone well polished and of even white tone.
Hound
Chinese Artist
Qing dynasty (1644-1911), 18th-19th century
Lying in a playful coiled position with tail tucked between his hind legs tossing a crab with his paws, the bear's mouth open but wary of the crab's claws
Bear with a Crab
Chinese Artist
Qing dynasty (1644 -1911)
Well carved in a recumbent position with head raised above the front paws and long tail curled atop the back, the softly polished whit stone with extensive russet staining of varying intensity
Hound
Chinese Artist
17th-18th century or later
Water Buffalo
Water Buffalo
Chinese Artist
Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Qianlong period (1736-1795)
Carved as a recumbent lion, its paw resting on a brocade ball and head turned to one side, its long ears laid back flanking tufts of hair falling on either side of the ribbed backbone, opposite the tail flicked to one side, accompanied by a cub, the stone of mottled, black brown and white tones
Buddhistic Lion Group
Chinese Artist
18th-19th Century or later
The crouching animal carved with deep slashes to the flat snout, haunches, eyes and tail, the stone of pale celadon tone with russet rivering
Pig
Chinese Artist
Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE)
The slender crouching animal carved with deep slashes for the flat snout, haunches, ears and upturned tail, the tail and snout pierced with a hole for attachment, the stone of pale celadon color with areas of calcification
Pig
Chinese Artist
Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE)
This semi-translucent stone of soft olive-green color with opaque buff mottling and some dark brown coloring in areas that show signs of alteration from burial, the inner and outer edges well finished and the stone with a high, soft polish, some chips
Ritual Disc (Bi)
Chinese Artist
Zhou Dynasty (c.1050-256 BCE) or earlier
Standing figure with arms bent, elbows outward, hands cup breasts, rounded stomach, thick form with little negative space, flat bar of stone connects feet, incised linear design for long hair which ends in a straight row of knots at the shoulders.
Female Figure
Costa Rican Artist
1000-1522
Standing figure with left hand on thigh and right arm resting on round stomach (hand missing); overall thick form with little detail; large head and facial features; carved linear design for hair.
Male Figure
Costa Rican Artist
undated
Standing figure with right hand on left shoulder and left hand on groin area; large head with incised linear decoration for hair; feet are connected by a flat bar of stone; overall very thick with little negative space.
Male Figure
Costa Rican Artist
1000-1522

Collections research is ongoing. Information provided on the Harn’s website about collection objects may be updated, revised, or enhanced at any time.

Harn
Copyright © Harn
null