Artwork Page for Ceremonial Tube (Cong)

Details / Information for Ceremonial Tube (Cong)

Ceremonial Tube (Cong)

玉琮

c. 1600–1056 BCE

China, Shang dynasty

(c. 1600–c. 1046 BCE)
Medium
jade (nephrite)
Measurements
Overall: 20.6 cm (8 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust 1915.630
Public Domain
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Location
241A Arts of Ancient China
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Did You Know?

The Interior cavity of this piece of jade was bored from both ends, making an irregular ridge near the center.

Description

The cong, a cylindrical tube with a square outer section, was one of the most impressive jade implements used in ancient rites. The ritual text Rites of Zhou mentions the use of the cong for the worship of the earth. However, its function and meaning in the earlier Neolithic societies are not completely understood.
A tall nephrite jade sculpture features a hollow cylindrical body with a square central section. The stone is a mottled palette of sage green, charcoal gray, and creamy tan with natural veining. Smooth circular rims project from the top and bottom. One of the four vertical corners points forward, displaying organic dark markings and rough, earthy patches near the base that contrast with the stone's polished surface.

Ceremonial Tube (Cong)

c. 1600–1056 BCE

China, Shang dynasty (c. 1600–c. 1046 BCE)

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