The Barlow Collection
A select catalogue of the Barlow collection of Chinese Ceramics, Bronzes and Jades by the University of Sussex (published Sussex, 2006).
Publications online: 456 objects
Water vessel in the form of a bixie, or animal guardian
- loan
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Literature notes
The small vessel is made of opaque white jade with greenish and darker brown to grey patches, carved in form of a fabulous animal (bixie), its heavy body which forms the receptacle, with a circular opening on the back. The animal is depicted in a lively strident pose, the head turned back and the tail curled to one side, the four paws all differently placed, the left hind leg lagging behind, the paws clearly rendered, the sides with long curled wings raised in relief. The head is depicted with circular eyes, curly eyebrows, open mouth showing fangs and tongue, small ears and curling horns, the body shows incised detail at the wings and underside, tufts of hair behind the cheeks, above the tail, and at the legs, and the tail shows twisted strands of hair. -
Details
- Associated place
- Date
-
16th - 17th century (1501 - 1700)
Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)
- Material and technique
- jade, with incised and carved decoration; hole probably drilled
- Dimensions
- 6.1 x 11.4 x 5.8 cm (height x width x depth)
- Material index
- Technique index
- Object type index
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container › vessel › water-vessel,
- No. of items
- 1
- Credit line
- Lent by the Sir Alan Barlow Collection Trust.
- Accession no.
- LI1301.25
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Further reading
University of Sussex, and Arts and Humanities Research Council, The Barlow Collection, supervised by Regina Krahl, Maurice Howard, and Aiden Leeves (Sussex: University of Sussex, 2006), no. J10
Location
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- currently in research collection
Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.
Publications online
-
The Barlow Collection
The small vessel is made of opaque white jade with greenish and darker brown to grey patches, carved in form of a fabulous animal (bixie), its heavy body which forms the receptacle, with a circular opening on the back. The animal is depicted in a lively strident pose, the head turned back and the tail curled to one side, the four paws all differently placed, the left hind leg lagging behind, the paws clearly rendered, the sides with long curled wings raised in relief. The head is depicted with circular eyes, curly eyebrows, open mouth showing fangs and tongue, small ears and curling horns, the body shows incised detail at the wings and underside, tufts of hair behind the cheeks, above the tail, and at the legs, and the tail shows twisted strands of hair.
Notice
Object information may not accurately reflect the actual contents of the original publication, since our online objects contain current information held in our collections database. Click on 'buy this publication' to purchase printed versions of our online publications, where available, or contact the Jameel Study Centre to arrange access to books on our collections that are now out of print.
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