Miniature jade pig

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This miniature jade pig was a precious grave gift buried with a high-ranking person in China. One pig was placed in each hand of the deceased, and other jade amulets were placed elsewhere on and in the body..

This figure of a crouching pig is made of whitish-green jade, with a red-brown marking.

During the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), high status people were buried in elaborate house-like tombs, surrounded by precious possessions for the afterlife. Jade was believed to preserve bodies from decomposition; hence the elaborate Han jade burial suits

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-657-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1938.387
• Date: 206 BC - AD 220
  Between 206 BC and 220 AD
  
• Material: White jade with reddish-brown marking
  Figure / pig, burial
  
• Dimensions: 34 mm H x 132 mm L x 27 mm W
  
• What: Figure / pig, burial
  
• Subject: Jade
  
• Who: K.C. Wong Collection
  
• Where: China
  
• Event:
• Description: Stylised "burial pig" of white jade with a reddish brown marking: China, Han Dynasty, 206 BC - AD 220
  
• References:
• Translations:
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