Whimsical Whistles from Long Ago

This post will be going slightly off topic as I will be showing objects which are neither jade nor beads. Instead I will show my 3 antique  ceramic whistles from around the Song - Yuan dynasty or later.  But since whistles like beads are tiny and have pierced holes I somehow see a connection.😊

Antique porcelain whistles are one of the tiniest artefacts made by Chinese potters. I don't really know what function they serve in the old days but it has been speculated that whistles are toys (for children ?) Another research paper has put up a theory that they are possibly musical  instruments giving out wonderful notes.  So far I have not the nerve to  test them with my mouth.😋

My 3 whistles were made in the Cizhou kilns of Hebei, China. This kiln mostly catered to the needs of common people  and Cizhou porcelain was typical of folk wares of this period.

Now to show the pictures of the 3 diminutive figurine whistles. The 2 smaller whistles are only 4.5 cm high while the bigger one measures 6 cm. 

3 ceramic whistles from  Cizhou kilns

This pair looks like a pair of twins. They have a dignified air and  I cant make out whether they are boys or men. Also seem to be bearing some object in their hands.

Are they twins?

Although the bigger whistle has lost its glaze some details can still be gleaned. The figurine has a  benevolent smile and mien with hands  clasped round a bag with handle

Figurine has a benevolent smile

Showing the back of the  2 smaller whistles

Holes on top and at the back

The bigger whistle unfortunately  is partially broken at the back

Partial damage to the back

And here's a modern whistle from granddaughter Sophie, borrowed for comparison.

Modern 2018 child's whistle

Whistles from 10th-to 21st century.

The old with the new

* Please refer to Freer and Sackler Museum website for more examples of whistles from Cizhou kilns.

Kneeling Jade Figurine

Today I'd like to share a kneeling jade figurine with tall well shaped hat. I am not sure what period he belongs to but as there are many kneeling jade figurines from Shang dynasty (1700BC-1027BC) to the Han dynasty (206BC-220AD)  I would place him tentatively around this timeline plus or minus (excuse me if I'm wrong)😎

jade man in a respectful pose

 He is carved in a kneeling position with both hands placed neatly on his lap and cuts a dignified, respectful pose, The little figurine measures only 6cm

Measures 6cm tall

I am most struck by the beauty of the outstanding hat which must be indicative of some importance so it is likely that he is an official or emissary rather than a servant.

The front of the hat is well carved and it slants slightly backwards. It has 4 vertical grooves  displaying a fine mesh of delicate toolmarks  which can be seen on close inspection. The back is flat, straight and undecorated.

the front with vertical grooves and the back flat and uncarved.

The hat is also hollowed out with openings on both sides. If you peer through the cavity you can see toolmarks left behind by long ago jade artisans.

toolmarks are visible through the hat's cavity.

                     

Each ear is decorated with a cloud scroll  motif. Such motifs are common in Spring and Autumn and Warring States period. (1046-256BC)

ears with cloud scroll  motifs

The side profile is reminiscent of the famous jade figurine with key excavated from Fu Hao's tomb Shang dynasty (1700-1027BC)except that this one does not have a key. Instead it has a tall hat.

Side profile

Finally, here is  a front and back view of this little figurine from the past.

showing the front and back view