A Journey in Jade

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A Journey in Jade

• A Collection of Artifacts from Ancient China

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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
  transparency- sincerity
• The Han believed that jade was an aid to
  attaining immortality and many jade artifacts are
  found in burial sites

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Jade Face
- Late Neolithic period- around 2000 BC -
Width 5.8 cm
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• 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

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Jade Bi
- Shang Dynasty (1500-1050 BCE) - Diameter 5.9
inches
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• 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

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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?
Id341Antique_Number1-0120
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Jade Dragon Pendant
- Warring States Period - 20.5 cm long, 4.8 cm
wide
http//www.nmch.gov.cn/en/collections/display.asp?
Id344Antique_Number2-0032

• 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

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Jade Comb
- Warring States Period - 2.6 in. high, 1.6 in.
deep, .8 in deep
http//www.sdmart.org/image/image.pl?modepaintin
g314529axis1070141408

• Detailed carving on the handle
• Most likely used by wealthy woman
• Perhaps more for decorative use than for
  functionality

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Jade Cicadas
- Han Dynasty 206 BC - AD 220 - Length 6 cm
Width 3.3 cm
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• 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

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Jade Burial Suit
tml
- 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

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Sources and Museum Donations
British Museum compass/index.html National Museum of Chinese
History  splay.asp?Id341Antique_Number1-0120 San
Diego Museum of Art  image.pl?modepainting314529axis1070141408 He
nan Museum  62.htm Chinese Jade From Actual to
Present tm