Transcript A Journey in Jade

A Journey in Jade
A Collection of Artifacts from Ancient
China
Jade in Ancient China
Jade was highly valued in Ancient China for many reasons
The polish and brilliancy of the stone was thought to
represent purity
Its extreme hardness represented intelligence
Its angles represent justice
Its color represents loyalty and the transparencysincerity
The Han believed that jade was an aid to attaining
immortality and many jade artifacts are found in burial
sites
Jade Face
- Late Neolithic period
- around 2000 BC
- Width: 5.8 cm
<http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/co
mpass/index.html>
Objects like this found in tombs in both the Shang and
Zhou dynasties
Similar sculptures made from bronze during the Shang
Dynasty
Demonstrates artistic skill of the Ancient Chinese even
with little evidence of sophisticated carvings tools
Jade Bi
- Shang Dynasty
(1500-1050 BCE)
- Diameter: 5.9 inches
<http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/index.html>
The term "bi" is applied to wide discs with small center
holes
This particular piece belonged to the The Qianlong
emperor who reigned from 1736-95
inscription (by the emperor) says that his poetic
imagination was stirred by its exquisite shape, and the
quality of the jade
Jade Ge (dagger-axe)
- Shang Dynasty
(1500-1050 BCE)
- length of blade
(48.8 cm)
This dagger was actually a ritual object
rather than a weapon
Unearthed in 1974 at Panlongcheng,
Huangpi, Hubei Province
Demonstrates the value in ritual practices
in Ancient China
Color variations show the detail of the
stone
http://www.nmch.gov.cn/en/collections/display.asp?Id=341&Antique_Number=1-0120
Jade Dragon Pendant
- Warring States Period
- 20.5 cm long, 4.8 cm wide
http://www.nmch.gov.cn/en/collections/display.asp?Id=
344&Antique_Number=2-0032
Unearthed from a tomb in the Henan Province, in l951
This pendant is composed of seven pieces of jade
openwork, joined by copper plates
Decorated with dragon images and a cloud pattern
Jade pendants also used as ritual objects in court
ceremonies and during sacrifices and funerals
Jade Comb
- Warring States Period
- 2.6 in. high, 1.6 in.
deep, .8 in deep
http://www.sdmart.org/image/image.pl?mode=&painting=31452
9&axis=1070141408
 Detailed carving on the handle
 Most likely used by wealthy woman
 Perhaps more for decorative use than for
functionality
Jade Cicadas
- Han Dynasty
206 BC - AD 220
- Length: 6 cm Width: 3.3 cm
<http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/index.html>
Cicadas associated with resurrection since they pupate
and emerge from underground after several years
Cicadas on the tongue of the dead
 These carved pieces show the Cicadas' prominent
eyes, boldly cut wings and lobed undersides
Jade Burial Suit
<http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/index.html>
- Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220
- Length: 180 cm, Width: 125 cm
This jade suit was unearthed at Yongcheng, Henan
Burial clothes of an emperor or high-ranking noble
Suit is made up of 2008 pieces of jade sewn together
with gold wire
Sources and Museum Donations
British Museum
<http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/index.html>
National Museum of Chinese History
<http://www.nmch.gov.cn/en/collections/display.asp?Id=341&Antique_
Number=1-0120 >
San Diego Museum of Art
<http://www.sdmart.org/image/image.pl?mode=&painting=314529&axi
s=1070141408>
Henan Museum
<http://www.chnmus.net/English/newpage62.htm>
Chinese Jade: From Actual to Present
<http://www.holymtn.com/jade/Chinesejade.htm>