Baoding Balls
Date: 1985
Inventory Number: MUS-117-0044
Classification: Ball
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
Box: 6 × 12.5 × 7 cm (2 3/8 × 4 15/16 × 2 3/4 in.)
per ball: 4 cm, 0.29 lb. (1 9/16 in., 0.1 kg)
Booklet: 6.5 × 11.5 cm (2 9/16 × 4 1/2 in.)
Accessories: Paper instruction booklet
DescriptionThe balls are similar in appearance, each decorated using cloisonne and brass wire. The enamel used in the background design of the cloisonne is dark blue, interspersed with brass wiring in the shape of clouds, a common Chinese cloisonne motif. The main subject of each ball is a white elephant also done in cloisonne with a lifted trunk, with red, black, and yellow enamel added for details for their eyes, feet, and saddle blankets. Underneath the design, the balls are made of metal—presumably iron given the name of the production company—and hold a small glass marble inside them which makes the ringing sound.
The box which houses the balls is made of silk brocade in a black, red, and gold-colored weft, with images of two people walking through foliage towards a pagoda. The silk covers the two separate portions of the box—the lid and the bottom portion that holds the balls—which are made from an unknown, fragile wood. These portions are not joined together, and are only held together by the thin silk covering, acting as a “hinge” on the back of the box. Inside the box, there is a red silk lining in the cover and a thin maroon cotton lining in the bottom, in which are two half-spherical indents where the balls are intended to be placed. On the front of the box, there is a brass clasp, the top portion of which is missing a nail on its proper right side. Due to this, the clasp tends to swing freely by its remaining nail and does not clasp shut easily.
The instruction booklet is made of paper and held together by a steel staple. It is gold in color, with red and black writing. In the top proper right corner, there is a Chinese character indicating “premium”—which is referring to its quality—and in the center there are red Chinese characters which read “Iron Ball Instructions,” while underneath that in black lettering it reads “IRON BALL DIRECTION” in English. Above the center writing there is a small red image of Shou Xing, the Chinese god of longevity, and below the center writing there are the words “MADE IN CHINA” in black. The booklet is bent and creased in multiple places, and has a large abrasion over the proper right side of the central Chinese characters.
The box which houses the balls is made of silk brocade in a black, red, and gold-colored weft, with images of two people walking through foliage towards a pagoda. The silk covers the two separate portions of the box—the lid and the bottom portion that holds the balls—which are made from an unknown, fragile wood. These portions are not joined together, and are only held together by the thin silk covering, acting as a “hinge” on the back of the box. Inside the box, there is a red silk lining in the cover and a thin maroon cotton lining in the bottom, in which are two half-spherical indents where the balls are intended to be placed. On the front of the box, there is a brass clasp, the top portion of which is missing a nail on its proper right side. Due to this, the clasp tends to swing freely by its remaining nail and does not clasp shut easily.
The instruction booklet is made of paper and held together by a steel staple. It is gold in color, with red and black writing. In the top proper right corner, there is a Chinese character indicating “premium”—which is referring to its quality—and in the center there are red Chinese characters which read “Iron Ball Instructions,” while underneath that in black lettering it reads “IRON BALL DIRECTION” in English. Above the center writing there is a small red image of Shou Xing, the Chinese god of longevity, and below the center writing there are the words “MADE IN CHINA” in black. The booklet is bent and creased in multiple places, and has a large abrasion over the proper right side of the central Chinese characters.
In Collection(s)
Signedunsigned
InscribedN/A
FunctionMeant to be used for meditation and strengething the muscles in one's hand. The technique for using Baoding balls includes rotating and revolving the balls around one another in the palm, so as to work the joints in the fingers and stimulate a meditative mind-space. Ideally, the balls will not touch one another during rotation within the palm, but will always remain in harmony circling each other. Earlier uses of Baoding balls during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) stressed the function of the balls to invigorate blood flow, stimulate the mind, improve memory, and cleanse vital organs within the body by unblocking energy channels.
Curatorial RemarksBox is fragile and should not be unnecessarily opened or forcibly closed shut.
The indents inside the silk box that are meant to hold the balls have no structure underneath them to provide support, only the cotton lining which hangs over the holes.
Metal clasp on on the front of the box is missing the proper right nail and is hanging on by the remaining proper left nail. Box is unable to close due to danger of any pressure on the clasp, damaging it further and separating from the box.
Aside from during exhibtion, balls should remain outside box so as not to put any unneeded pressure on thin cotton lining inside or causing damage to silk over time.
The indents inside the silk box that are meant to hold the balls have no structure underneath them to provide support, only the cotton lining which hangs over the holes.
Metal clasp on on the front of the box is missing the proper right nail and is hanging on by the remaining proper left nail. Box is unable to close due to danger of any pressure on the clasp, damaging it further and separating from the box.
Aside from during exhibtion, balls should remain outside box so as not to put any unneeded pressure on thin cotton lining inside or causing damage to silk over time.
ProvenanceThis set of Baoding balls, along with their box container and instruction booklet, were produced by the Hebei Baoding Iron Ball Plant in December, 1985. According to the certificate of authentication within the instruction booklet, this object was appraised by the Economic Committee of Hebei Province. Sometime after they were made, they were purchased by an unknown collector in an unknown location, and later given as a gift to E. Sandra (Sandy) Goldberg sometime before 2020. In 2021, Sandy passed down this object to her grandson, Sterling Gross. The Baoding ball set was then accessioned into the collection by Sterling in the Summer of 2022.