But... what does it do?

December 21, 2008 6:43 PM

Can you identify the function of this mysterious jade object?

My father, a high-school teacher, received a gift from one of his students, a girl he thinks is ethnically either Chinese or Vietnamese. The object is carved out of one piece of green, translucent jade (or at least so we think: bottom top side. It's about 15 cm/6 inches in length. The only guesses so far have been that it's a bookmark or a massage tool (?!).

Unfotunately, Dad didn't open his gifts when they were given to him, so he didn't get a chance to ask the student who gave it to him right there and then. He doesn't have her email address, either, and he won't see her until next year.

So, hive mind, what is it?

posted by halogen to grab bag (24 comments total)

Wild guess: Some sort of hair pin/ornament?
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:48 PM on December 21, 2008 [1 favorite]

We considered that also, but, ahem, Dad has a buzz cut (so does Mom, come to speak of it), so it would be a pretty weird choice for a gift for him.
posted by halogen at 6:51 PM on December 21, 2008

Hey, it actually works pretty well as a hair ornament (please disregard my super fine, ridiculously straight, entirely inappropriate hair).
posted by halogen at 6:58 PM on December 21, 2008

Hmm. Massage tool sounds implausible based on size. It looks like it might be adornment worn between two fingers.
posted by LSK at 7:00 PM on December 21, 2008

My first thought was bookmark, but looking at the side picture, I think a book would crush it.

Next thought would be hairpin (and it does look lovely in your hair). Does your father's student know that he has a daughter?
posted by charmcityblues at 7:02 PM on December 21, 2008

A hammer for some sort of musical instrument?
posted by Iron Rat at 7:03 PM on December 21, 2008

It really does look like a hair ornament. That was my first thought even before I saw the picture of it in your hair. What does your father teach? I'm wondering if this might be an antique, which would make total sense if your dad teaches some kind of history or world civilizations class. And does the student know what your mom's hair looks like? It could still be intended for her (or for you).
posted by katillathehun at 7:22 PM on December 21, 2008

Tongue scraper?
posted by carmicha at 7:32 PM on December 21, 2008

Dad teaches AP physics. A couple of his students have tried to add me as a friend on Facebook (dad has a Facebook account, and I'm his friend), but I don't think that my existence would be the reason behind giving Dad a hair ornament.
posted by halogen at 7:32 PM on December 21, 2008

More seriously, I think it's a gadget to enable the user to squeeze liquid from a teabag by wrapping the string around the bag and against the disk part. Does your dad drink tea?
posted by carmicha at 7:39 PM on December 21, 2008

Unless he is leading some sort of very complicated double life, Dad most certainly doesn't drink tea.
posted by halogen at 7:54 PM on December 21, 2008

Tea instrument would have been my guess.
posted by mrmojoflying at 8:04 PM on December 21, 2008

Decorative coffee stirrer?? Just throwing out an uneducated guess.
posted by fructose at 8:05 PM on December 21, 2008

I think it's a jade belt hook. Googling gets you similar shapes here.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 8:32 PM on December 21, 2008

it looks like a Ruyi a gift traditionally given to men if I'm not mistaken.
posted by ljesse at 9:02 PM on December 21, 2008

I'll second the jade belt hook/belt buckle theory. Similiar one here. Googling this shows it to be a popular gift from Burma.
posted by damn dirty ape at 9:04 PM on December 21, 2008

My grandparents were medical missionaries in China, meaning my mom spent a number of her childhood years there. I sent her the photos to see if she could place them.
posted by WCityMike at 9:22 PM on December 21, 2008

well it seems like a miniature size of a thing where ancient people in china carry around. It sort of symbolizes power and wealth. It can be made out of jade or copper i think or other metal.

I do not have the name for the thing though. Will update if i find more info
posted by red_rika at 9:24 PM on December 21, 2008

I would second ljesse and say that it's a rather plain Ru Yui scepter. It is a symbol of authority.

I think that if your dad is a teacher, it makes a lot of sense. This is one description I found:

The Ru Yi is also known as the sceptre of office. It represents the power of the high Government official. If your children are rebellious and difficult to control, then display the ru yi in your study or in the northwest of your living room to help you keep them obedient. The same applies for employees and subordinates who are defiant and tough to manage. Display the ru yi on your work desk to put yourself in a position of command.
posted by gemmy at 9:46 PM on December 21, 2008

Here is a similarly shaped but more ornate Ry Yi in jade from the Forbidden Palace collection. (Ru Yi, not "Ru Yui", sorry)
posted by gemmy at 9:54 PM on December 21, 2008 [1 favorite]

Wow. I hereby withdraw my guess and cast my vote for the Ru Yi theory. I'd never heard of such a thing before.
posted by Faint of Butt at 2:49 AM on December 22, 2008

I agree with the ruyi identification - this one has a very similar form but is more fancy.
posted by Abiezer at 5:42 AM on December 22, 2008

This little essay on the ruyi quotes the ancient manual of propriety the Classic of Rites: 君子無故，玉不去身 The full line is "君子無故，玉不去身，君子於玉比德焉" --- "Unless he has good reason, the Superior Man is never without his jade ornament; he regards the jade ornament as symbolic of the virtues."
posted by Abiezer at 6:02 AM on December 22, 2008

Definitely agree wiht the Ruyi theory. There is a similar African instrument called a Rungu. It is used as a weapon but is also bestowed upon those (typically men) who are seen as wise, powerful, or otherwise honorable. Similar name, as well, to Ruyi.
posted by junipero at 8:05 AM on December 22, 2008