DISCOVERART

China

Sheath with Bird and Feline or Dragon

Warring States period to early Western Han dynasty, 3rd/2nd century B.C.
Jade
5.7 × 0.5 cm (2.2 × 0.2 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

● On view now — Gallery 132

Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · verified July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Artists of China's late Bronze Age achieved both technical mastery and visual sophistication in elegant objects like this jade sheath, designed to fit a small blade. Its fluid contours and subtle surface modeling are remarkable because they were achieved by slowly grinding down, drilling, and polishing the stone.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by China

Spinning Cloth, Preparing Tea Leaves, Preparing SilkSpinning Cloth, Preparing Tea Leaves, Preparing SilkSpinning Cloth, Preparing Tea Leaves, Preparing SilkSpinning Cloth, Preparing Tea Leaves, Preparing SilkPair of Hall ChairsPair of Hall ChairsPicturePictureSpinning Cloth, Preparing Tea Leaves, Preparing SilkSpinning Cloth, Preparing Tea Leaves, Preparing SilkCouch-BedCouch-BedDish with Peaches and BatsDish with Peaches and BatsSpinning Cloth, Preparing Tea Leaves, Preparing SilkSpinning Cloth, Preparing Tea Leaves, Preparing Silk

More like this

Boltanonymous — BoltManuscript Cover with Enshrined Sakyamuni Buddha with Hand in Earth Touching (Bhumisparsha) MudraTibet Central Tibet — Manuscript Cover with Enshrined SakyamTranscendent Buddha Akshobhya and Vessel Overflowing with Foliage (Purnagata)Tibet or Nepal Southern Tibet or Nepal — Transcendent BuddhaCrown Panel Depicting a TathaghataWestern Tibet — Crown Panel Depicting a TathaghataBook Cover for a Manuscript of the Perfection of Wisdom (Ashtashasrika Prajnaparamita) SutraTibet South Central Tibet — Book Cover for a Manuscript of tTinder PouchTibet — Tinder PouchArtworkPlaque with Qur'anic InscriptionIslamic — Plaque with Qur'anic InscriptionBalance-Beam Scale Insided with Bird, Fish and Geometric MotifsIca — Balance-Beam Scale Insided with Bird, Fish and GeometrCeremonial Standard ('Alam)India Deccan — Ceremonial Standard ('Alam)The Sage Agastya Seated in Meditation on his Water Pot (Kumbha)Nepal — The Sage Agastya Seated in Meditation on his Water PBuddhist Manuscript Cover with the Bodhisattvas Avalokiteshvara and ManjushriTibet Central Tibet — Buddhist Manuscript Cover with the Bod