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
Figure of a phoenix
- loan
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Literature notes
The piece is carved in archaistic style.
The yellowish-beige jade has some darker patches. The solidly carved bird is shown reclining on an oval plinth, with pointed beak, small ears, a long curling crest and long feathers protruding from its cheeks. The wings are raised in relief and joined in front by a flat strap across the neck. A long fan-shaped tail with curling feathers protrudes from under the wings, and angular scroll motifs are replacing the legs. Stylized feathers are engraved at the neck and tail, but the other parts are decorated with abstract key-fret and archaistic scroll motifs. The flat plinth is plain. -
Details
- Associated place
- Date
- 1911 - 1963
- Material and technique
- jade, with carved decoration
- Dimensions
- 7.8 x 13.9 x 5.6 cm (height x width x depth)
- Material index
- Technique index
- Object type index
- No. of items
- 1
- Credit line
- Lent by the Sir Alan Barlow Collection Trust.
- Accession no.
- LI1301.27
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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. J13
Glossary
phoenix
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phoenix
Mythical bird known as hōō in Japan. The Islamic tradition appropriated the far-eastern iconography of the phoenix and used it to represent another mythical bird, the simurgh.
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 piece is carved in archaistic style.
The yellowish-beige jade has some darker patches. The solidly carved bird is shown reclining on an oval plinth, with pointed beak, small ears, a long curling crest and long feathers protruding from its cheeks. The wings are raised in relief and joined in front by a flat strap across the neck. A long fan-shaped tail with curling feathers protrudes from under the wings, and angular scroll motifs are replacing the legs. Stylized feathers are engraved at the neck and tail, but the other parts are decorated with abstract key-fret and archaistic scroll motifs. The flat plinth is plain.
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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