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Ornament

Ornament

18th-19th century

This small ornament in the form of three rams exemplifies the obscure origins of many auspicious motifs in Chinese art. Rams, goats and sheep are all called yang in Chinese, which is a homophone for the positive male force, yang, the opposite of yin. The three male lines correspond to heaven, and above them are three female lines, symbolizing earth.

Nephrite
1 3/4 x 1 3/4 x 1in. (4.4 x 4.4 x 2.5cm)
Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection
33.1393
location
Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Live Long and Prosper: Auspicious Motifs in East Asian Art, May 23, 2009 - February 21, 2010

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