Chinese Jade Boxes
A matched pair of figural boxes, carved from deep-green nephrite jade. They likely depict one of several one-horned creatures from Chinese mythology. A possible candidate is the Qilin (麒麟), which combines parts from a few different animals, as well as the male (qui) and female (lin) essences. In early depictions, the Qilin is deer- or goat-like, with one horn (later, it takes on some characteristics of a dragon, and may have two horns). The Qilin finds a home in other mythologies of the Sinosphere as well. In Korea it is known as the Girin (기린), and in Japan, the Kirin (麒麟), which also means "giraffe." The unicorn dújiǎoshòu (独角兽), is another possibility, as is the xiezhi (獬豸).
Each box is approximately four inches long, and just over one inch wide. They are two inches tall; three-and-a-half including their wooden stands. There is one tiny, repaired chip on the lower edge of one of the boxes (see image. We feel that they are likely late 19th- to early 20th century (late Quin), but they may be as recent as mid-20th century. Your input is welcome!
A matched pair of figural boxes, carved from deep-green nephrite jade. They likely depict one of several one-horned creatures from Chinese mythology. A possible candidate is the Qilin (麒麟), which combines parts from a few different animals, as well as the male (qui) and female (lin) essences. In early depictions, the Qilin is deer- or goat-like, with one horn (later, it takes on some characteristics of a dragon, and may have two horns). The Qilin finds a home in other mythologies of the Sinosphere as well. In Korea it is known as the Girin (기린), and in Japan, the Kirin (麒麟), which also means "giraffe." The unicorn dújiǎoshòu (独角兽), is another possibility, as is the xiezhi (獬豸).
Each box is approximately four inches long, and just over one inch wide. They are two inches tall; three-and-a-half including their wooden stands. There is one tiny, repaired chip on the lower edge of one of the boxes (see image. We feel that they are likely late 19th- to early 20th century (late Quin), but they may be as recent as mid-20th century. Your input is welcome!
A matched pair of figural boxes, carved from deep-green nephrite jade. They likely depict one of several one-horned creatures from Chinese mythology. A possible candidate is the Qilin (麒麟), which combines parts from a few different animals, as well as the male (qui) and female (lin) essences. In early depictions, the Qilin is deer- or goat-like, with one horn (later, it takes on some characteristics of a dragon, and may have two horns). The Qilin finds a home in other mythologies of the Sinosphere as well. In Korea it is known as the Girin (기린), and in Japan, the Kirin (麒麟), which also means "giraffe." The unicorn dújiǎoshòu (独角兽), is another possibility, as is the xiezhi (獬豸).
Each box is approximately four inches long, and just over one inch wide. They are two inches tall; three-and-a-half including their wooden stands. There is one tiny, repaired chip on the lower edge of one of the boxes (see image. We feel that they are likely late 19th- to early 20th century (late Quin), but they may be as recent as mid-20th century. Your input is welcome!