Minneapolis Institute of Art

Archer’s thumb ring

China

Date

1662–1722

Medium

White nephrite (jade)

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

According to Confucius, the six accomplishments of a gentleman included painting, calligraphy, poetry, lute (Qin) playing, chess (Wei Qi), and archery. Derived from the functional stone thumb rings needed when drawing composite bows, jade rings like this were symbolic objects for the scholar, who valued them for their Confucian overtones and link to antiquity. The exterior of this ring is decorated with Lingzhi (fungus of immortality) and bamboo. Of all literati pastimes, archery seems to have been the least practiced. China, Asia

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