The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 21, 2025

Thumb Ring

1736–95

China, Qing dynasty

(1644–1911), Qianlong reign (1736–95)
white jade
Diameter: 3.3 cm (1 5/16 in.); Overall: 2.6 cm (1 in.)
Gift of Mrs. John Lyon Collyer in memory of her mother, Mrs. G. M. G. Forman 1970.141
Location: Not on view

Description

Jade rings were worn by men on the thumb of the right hand to assist with holding and pulling the string of the archer’s bow. However, thumb rings were also fashionable accessories for civil officials in the late Qing dynasty.
  • Year in Review: 1970. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 10-March 7, 1971).
    CMA 1971: "Year in Review 1970," Bull., LVIII (Feb. 1971), p. 70, cat. 147, listed but not exhibited.
  • {{cite web|title=Thumb Ring|url=false|author=|year=1736–95|access-date=21 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1970.141