Jade Burial Suit

Object/Artifact

San Diego Chinese Historical Museum

Name/Title

Jade Burial Suit

Description

Chinese nephrite jade funeral shroud consisting of leggings, foot covers, arm covers and mask. Composed of numerous jade rectangular plaques currently wired together with copper nose wire and ears are carved in the manner of the Han dynasty.

Context

This is a Jade Burial Suit replica, common in the Han Dynasty (206 - 220 CE). These suits were a somewhat popular commodity amongst the wealthy elite of the Han Dynasty. These suits consisted of thousands of small Jade pieces.

Acquisition

Accession

2003.1

Source or Donor

George & Kathy Tomlanovich

Made/Created

Date made

206 BCE - 220 CE

Time Period

Han Dynasty

Place

Country

China

Continent

Asia

Notes

Replica, with authentic pieces

Dimensions

Width

29 in

Depth

11 in

Length

72 in

Materials

Material

Jade

Material Notes

Copper Wire connective material

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Object Label

Label

Jade burial suites of yuyi were full body ceremonial suits in which royal members of the Han court were buried. These Suits were composed of rectangular or square pieces of jade joined together through wire. The process of creating a jade burial suit was very laborious and would typically take several years to finish, which was precisely why they could only be obtained by wealthy members of high society.