Long Mythical Animal
Culture
Chinese
Date206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.
Mediumaltered nephrite
Dimensionslength: 21.6 cm (8 1/2 in.)
ClassificationsJades
Credit LineGift of the Rubin-Ladd Foundation, Ester R. Portnow Collection of Asian Art
Object number2007.117
Descriptionaltered nephriteLabel Text2007-03-04: Long Mythical Animal Altered nephrite; Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) Loan from the Rubin - Ladd Foundation, Ester R. Portnow Collection of Asian Art Sculptures of real and mythological animals represented an interest in establishing links with the powers of nature and the spiritual world. They were believed to offer protection against evil, bring good fortune in this life and the next, and to appear when auspicious events were about to occur. The two striding feline animals, with clawed paws, bifurcated tails, flame-, wing- and fur-like swirls, big eyebrows, bulging eyes and open jaws with teeth, are called bixie ("one who wards off evil"). These creatures became popular during the Han dynasty due to the influence from the West of the lion and its mythical counterpart, the winged chimera. Jade bixie sculptures have been found inside tombs; large stone bixie sometimes guarded the paths leading to the tombs. The head and ears of the long composite creature resemble those of a rabbit-perhaps a reference to the rabbit in Taioist mythology that helps the moon goddess pound sacred herbs. ProvenanceS. Throckmorton, New York, NY; 2000, purchased by The Rubin-Ladd Foundation, Georgetown, CT; 2007, donated to the Worcester Art Museum.
On View
Not on view
Chinese
18th century, Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)
Chinese
late 18th–early 19th century, Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)
