Lot 42D
East Asia, Japan, Nara Period, ca. 710 to 794 CE. A pair of elegant glass pendants known as magatama ("sacred jewel"). Both are comma-shaped, with a hole drilled through their widest parts. One is translucent, pale green, and the other, which is slightly smaller, translucent, dark blue. Both have pleasing heft in the hand and would make excellent modern pendants. Size of largest (green): 2.1" W x 0.45" H (5.3 cm x 1.1 cm)
Glass magatama from the Nara Period were inspired by stone and jade examples from the Final Jomon period (ca. 1000 BCE) to the Kofun period (ca. 6th century CE), and the cloudy green of one of these may be a deliberate imitation of jade. The reason for the comma-shaped form is unknown, but there are several suggestions from researchers that connect them to nature, which formed a major part of traditional Japanese religion: the shape of animal fangs, for example, or the shape of a crescent moon. Magtama are referenced in Japanese 8th century literature as gifts given by the gods to one another.
See a similar example at the Corning Museum of Glass: http://www.cmog.org/artwork/magatama-sacred-jewel-amulet
Provenance: private Illinois, USA collection
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#125948
- Condition: Both are intact and in good condition. Surface pitting and very light scratching commensurate with age, with wear around edges of drill holes. Cord shown in photographs is not included.
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