Jade Artifacts in the Form of Deer in the Western Zhou Dynasty
The deer-shaped jade ware of the Western Zhou Dynasty was mostly used as ornaments. Judging from the excavation situation, the known jade articles of the Western Zhou Dynasty were mainly unearthed in the tombs of the Western Zhou Dynasty. There were many tombs of the Western Zhou Dynasty and they were widely distributed. Among them, the capital area of the Zhou Dynasty and the capital ruins of the feudal circles were more concentrated. The jade articles in these tombs included funerary jade and the utensils used by the tomb owner before his death. Among the types of jade articles unearthed, there were more jade articles based on deer. The deer-shaped jade articles of the Western Zhou Dynasty had distinctive artistic features. The jade deers that were seen were even divided into male and female, as well as big and small. Most of them were embossed works, and a small number were round sculptures. Most of the shapes were flat and sheet-like, which might be the result of the scarcity of materials or the development of sheet cutting technology. The proportions of the various parts of the Jade Deer's body were relatively accurate. On the basis of realism, artistic exaggeration was carried out to summarize the overall appearance and exaggerate the local characteristics. The Yin lines outlined the detailed characteristics, such as the eyes, snout, hoofs, and other parts. It showed that the deer was looking up and was ready to attack. It was full of vitality. Some of the jade deer had long and thick horns, or curved backwards, or split into two branches that were flat to the left and right, with the front branch rising up and curling into a round hole. The deer had large eyes, a protruding chest, and a plump body. The muscles or body muscles were expressed succinctly and briskly. Many jade deers had holes carved into their necks for hanging. In terms of collections, the Guo State Museum in Sanmenxia City, Henan Province, the Shanxi Museum, and the Baoji Bronze Museum all had collections of Western Zhou jade deer. Read more exciting novels for free
Western Zhou Dynasty jade, ancient jade
Jade articles of the Western Zhou Dynasty were an important part of the development of ancient jade articles in China. There were many types of jade in the Western Zhou Dynasty. The following were some of the common types: - ** Jade Bi **: In the early days, there were many plain jade pieces. The edges were irregular and there were cutting marks and damages. The surface was thick inside and thin outside. There was a deep straight line cut, and the middle hole was single-sided. In the later period, there were decorative patterns such as dragon patterns, phoenix patterns, and cloud patterns carved by negative lines. The lines were softer and smoother than those of the Shang Dynasty, and the composition was more rigorous. - ** Jade Cong **: Most of the shapes are square pillars of different heights. The round hole in the center is larger, and the corners are straight and strong. Most of the surfaces are smooth without patterns. Very few of them are carved with bird patterns or other decorations on the four surfaces of the square body. - Gui: It was an important ritual vessel of the Western Zhou Dynasty. It was flat and rectangular, with an equinocratic triangle at the top. It was well-made and generally had no decorative patterns. - ** Huang **: Half-wall or fan-shaped, with holes on both ends. Other than the light element ones, the dragon patterns and phoenix patterns were usually carved with light dark lines. The lines were smooth and there were also some that were directly in the shape of animals, which was more vivid and unique. - ** Ge **: Most of them inherited the shape and characteristics of the Shang Dynasty Ge. There are also small and exquisitely made small jade Ge ornaments. Some are decorated with phoenix and divine beast (human) patterns. The design is ingenious and the shape is unique, increasing the sacred and noble atmosphere. - ** Handle-shaped ware **: flat body, different shapes and sizes, most of them are the same as the handle-shaped ware of the Shang Dynasty, a few of them have bird patterns and cloud patterns on the surface, and the end is inlaid with decorative objects made of turquoise and jade strips, which may have ceremonial or symbolic significance. - ** Jue **: Oblate round, shaped like a ring or a piece of jade but with a gap. It is a popular earring. Most of them are light and have no patterns. A few of them have phoenix patterns or dragon patterns carved by Yin lines. The lines are smooth and the craftsmanship is exquisite. - ** God, Man, and Beast Face Ornaments **: A flat embossed shape. The face is engraved with the style of the Shang Dynasty. The word "minister" is written on it. It has a cloud head and a nose. It wears a flat hat. There are curly horn-shaped ornaments on both sides of the head. The back is flat and smooth. There are holes under the neck. It may be inlaid jewelry. - ** Dragon **: Its shape is basically similar to the dragon of the Shang Dynasty. There are many pieces. The decorative lines have become smooth and smooth from the square folding of the Shang Dynasty. In the later period, the dragon body is thin and long. The carving of the horns is not obvious and even becomes cloud-shaped ears. The word "minister" is gradually replaced by round eyes. - ** Bird **: flat cuboid, mostly with circles as eyes, short horns on the top of the head, wide mouth with protruding tips at the upper and lower ends, wide drooping tail, less complex geometric patterns of the Shang Dynasty on the body, with a small number of Yin lines to represent the wings and long tail, two claws lying down, a round hole in the chest. - ** owl **: It glides with flat wings. Its beak is curved at the chest and has a hole. It has round eyes and a dense herringbone line on its forehead. The double hook lines on its back are engraved with the pattern of clouds and thunder. The line on the short tail is more dense. There is a special structure under the abdomen. It may still be a god worshipped in the Western Zhou Dynasty. - ** Ox **: Standing posture, four short limbs with simple hoofs, round body, smooth without any patterns, drooping tail, head ratio slightly smaller than the Shang Dynasty, has a certain realistic meaning. - ** Tiger **: There are many flat plates. The shape is the same as that of the Shang Dynasty. It is lying down. The tiger head is flat or drooping. The cloud-shaped ears are raised upwards. The mouth is open and the teeth are exposed. The tail is upturned or curled. The early decoration is similar to that of the Shang Dynasty. In the later period, only a single Yin line is used to represent the outline of the limbs. - [Deer]: There are models such as turning back, looking forward, lying down, standing, etc. They are generally in the shape of a sheet. They are light and have no patterns. They only have a simple outline, but their antlers are exquisitely carved. - Fish: Inherited the shape of the late Shang Dynasty, flat, or straight or slightly curved in a semicircle, the circle is the eye, the mouth is wide and pointed at both ends, there is a short shadow line carved on the back fin and the lower abdomen dividing fin, the tail part is a small fork, the fish body is light or decorated with curved scale patterns, the shadow line is carved shallow and thin, the mouth is often pierced. These Western Zhou jades had a unique artistic style in terms of craftsmanship, shape, and decoration, reflecting the culture, etiquette, and aesthetic concepts of the time. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>
Dragon Jade Pendant of Western Zhou Dynasty
The ritual jade ware of the Western Zhou Dynasty
The Western Zhou Dynasty implemented the enfeoffment system and the patriarch system, and the hierarchy was strict. This had a great impact on the jade system of the Western Zhou Dynasty. The ritual jade of the Western Zhou Dynasty had clear rules on the use of grades. Gui was an important ritual vessel in the Western Zhou Dynasty. It was flat and rectangular, with an equinoceros triangle at the top. It was well-made and generally had no decorative patterns. Cong was shaped as a square pillar of different heights. The central hole was larger, and the corners were straight and strong. Most of the surfaces were smooth and without patterns. Very few were carved with bird patterns or other patterns on the four surfaces of the square body. In the early days, there were many plain jade, with irregular edges and cutting marks and damages. The surface of the jade was thick inside and thin outside, with deep straight cuts, and the middle hole was single-sided drilled. In the later period, there were dragon patterns, phoenix patterns, cloud patterns and other decorations carved by negative lines on the surface of the jade. Huang was in the shape of a half-wall or a fan, with holes on both ends. In addition to the plain ones, there were usually dragon patterns and phoenix patterns carved with shallow Yin lines, and there were also those directly shaped like animals, which were more vivid and unique. These jades played an important role in the etiquette system of the Western Zhou Dynasty. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>
Jade Plate and Jade Artifacts of Han Dynasty
The jade wares of the Han Dynasty inherited and developed the tradition of the jade wares of the Warring States Period. In the Han Dynasty, ceremonial jade articles (the so-called "auspicious jade") were less than before, and daily necessities and decorations made of jade developed greatly. Jade plates belonged to the category of daily necessities made of jade. For example, the Palace Museum had a jade plate with a dragon handle from the Han Dynasty. In terms of craftsmanship, the Han Dynasty had more round carvings, high embossed, open-cut jade carvings, and jade inlaid objects than before. The decorative style changed from abstract to realistic. In addition, there were also Han Dynasty jade plates on sale, such as the Hetian jade Han Dynasty jade plate on sale on September 13th, 2024. The price was 23,688 yuan, and the quality was 95 grade. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>
The basic characteristics of the state organization form of the Western Zhou Dynasty
The basic characteristics of the state organization of the Western Zhou Dynasty were the enfeoffment system and the patriarch system. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, the country adopted a system of enfeoffment. The royal family, meritorious officials, and descendants of ancient emperors were enfeoffed to various places to establish kingdoms. The leaders of tribal groups were no longer the rulers, but the relatives of the Zhou royal family with the same surname were the subjects of enfeoffment. This system strengthened the royal family's control over the country's territory and consolidated the position of the emperor. At the same time, the Western Zhou Dynasty also adopted the patriarch system, which was a system of governing and managing the clansmen through blood relations. The core of the clan system was the system of inheritance of the eldest son. The eldest son of the emperor inherited the throne, the remaining sons were enfeoffed as vassals, and the eldest son of the vassal inherited the throne, and so on until the lowest level. These two systems constituted the basic characteristics of the state organization of the Western Zhou Dynasty.
Ancient Jade Artifacts of Tang Dynasty
110 Fine Jade Artifacts of the Yuan Dynasty
The following are some of the collection's fine jade articles of the Yuan Dynasty: 1. "Dushan Jade Sea: It is a work that can reflect the style and craftsmanship of the jade ware of the Yuan Dynasty. It belongs to the jade sea category and can be traced back to the Shang Dynasty. The production process is complicated and has high artistic and collection value. It is used as a ritual vessel to represent good luck and power. 2. Jade Hat Top with Double Hornless Dragon Patterns: It is a type of jade hat top. Its history can be traced back to the 13th century. It uses hollowed-out carving techniques and is exquisitely made. It is one of the representative works of jade ware in the Yuan Dynasty. It represents noble status and noble status. The shape is exquisite and the carving is exquisite. 3. Yuan carved lioness jade hat top: It is a type of jade hat top. Its history can be traced back to the 13th century. It uses hollowed-out carving techniques and is exquisitely made. It is one of the representative works of jade ware in the Yuan Dynasty. It represents the status and noble status of nobility. The shape is exquisite and the carving is exquisite. 4. [White Jade Couplet Pearl Pattern Cloud Dragon Ring: It belongs to the jade belt ring category. Its history can be traced back to the Han Dynasty. The craftsmanship is exquisite. It is one of the representative works of ancient jade. It represents the status and noble status of nobility. The shape is simple and elegant, and the carving is exquisite.] 5. [White Jade Stove: It is a type of jade stove. Its history can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. The craftsmanship is exquisite. It is one of the representative works of ancient jade, representing nobility and wealth.] 6. Phoenix Peony Jade: Now in the Palace Museum. The jade is bluish-white and has the same patterns on both sides. It is carved with a red phoenix and a peony with twining branches. The phoenix's slender eyes hold a long ribbon tied to a coin-shaped knot. 7. The jade ring with the pattern of hornless dragon is now collected in the Hubei Province Museum. The jade is white with black spots. There is an oval hole in the oval shape. The ring is embossed with the dragon mouth containing ganoderma lucidum. 8. The jade book is now hidden in Lushun Museum. It is blue in color, flat and rectangular in shape. The top is slightly curved, and there are eight round holes on both sides. There is a round hole in the middle of the top. On the right side of the front, there is a vertical regular script "Empress Sheng". 9. Jade hat top with figure pattern: Now stored in the China Cultural Relics Information Center. It is white jade and round carved. The top of the hat is decorated with the Longevity Star, Lotus, and Egret, which symbolizes longevity. The carving technique is unique and there are traces of pipe drilling. 10. Lotus Egret Pattern Jade Hat Top (Collection of the Museum of Liaoning Province): Jade cyan with brown spots, the whole body is carved with lotus flowers and egrets using multiple hollowed-out techniques. 11. Lotus Egret Pattern Jade Hat Top (Collection of the China Cultural Relics Information Center): The jade is white and smooth, round carving, the theme pattern is egrets and lotus, using the color of jade skin to make it, there are two sets of holes at the bottom. 12. The top of a jade hat with a crane and deer figure pattern is now hidden in the Palace Museum. It is made of green jade and carved. On one side, there is a table in the middle of three people. Beside it, there are people playing the piano and standing. On the other side, there are carvings of crane, deer, ganoderma lucidum, pine branches and immortal grass. 13. The top of a jade hat with a dragon pattern is now stored in the China Cultural Relics Information Center. The jade is bluish white. The dragon pattern is a traditional pattern, and the dragon head is raised. The flowers are deeply sunken, and the bottom is slightly concave with two sets of holes. The unique craftsmanship is a typical work of the Yuan Dynasty. However, based on the current information, it was impossible to provide a complete list of the 110 fine jade articles of the Yuan Dynasty in the collection. The above was only a part of the collection of fine jade articles of the Yuan Dynasty. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>
On the Jade Artifacts in the Tombs of the Han Dynasty
The jades in the tombs of the Han Dynasty had many characteristics. ** 1. Source ** 1. ** Legacy of the previous dynasty ** - Due to the short history of the Qin Dynasty and the close proximity of the Warring States Period and the Western Han Dynasty, most of the jade ornaments unearthed from the tombs of the nobles in the early Western Han Dynasty had obvious characteristics of the Warring States Period. Some of them were even jade ornaments directly preserved from the Warring States Period. For example, a jade dancer unearthed from the tomb of Liu He, Marquis of Haiying in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, was a relic of the late Warring States Period. The jade pieces inlaid on the lacquer wood core jade pillow unearthed from the tomb of the courtier of the King of Chu in Lion Mountain, Xuzhou, covered all kinds of jade pendants from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Warring States Period. - The palace of the Han Dynasty inherited the treasures of the previous dynasty, including many jade articles. For example,"Han Shu·Suburban Sacrifice Annals" records that the "Suihou"(Suihou Pearl) and "Yubao Bi"(Heshi Bi) in Weiyang Palace during the reign of Emperor Xuan of Han Dynasty may be the pearls and jade collected in the former dynasty. 2. ** Project and Grave Robbing Gains ** - In the Han Dynasty, there were "large-scale infrastructure" activities, such as the construction of Changling and the tomb of Liu Yan, the king of Zhongshan Jian. Many tombs were destroyed in these projects, and the jade articles in them may have been passed down. - Grave robbing was prevalent in the Han Dynasty. Not only were there lawless people robbing tombs, but even the nobles were also involved. For example, Liu Quji, the king of Guangchuan, robbed the tombs of famous people such as King You of Zhou and King Xiang of Wei. Many jade articles buried in the previous dynasty were passed down as the source of ancient jade in the Han tombs. ** 2. Type and usage ** 1. ** Practicable tools ** - For example, the bronze cup unearthed from the tomb of the King of Nanyue of the Western Han Dynasty in Xianggang Mountain, Guangzhou, has a similar style to the high-foot jade cup unearthed from the site of the Qin Epang Palace in Chezhang Village, western suburb of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. It is a practical instrument used to mix jade chips and dew to drink. 2. ** Ornaments ** - The nobles of the Han Dynasty liked to wear ancient jade, and many of the jade in the tombs of the early Western Han Dynasty had the characteristics of the Warring States Period. For example, the jade dancer unearthed from the tomb of Liu He, Marquis of Haiying in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, was reassembled into a set of accessories by the Han Dynasty people with jade Huang and jade tube for use; the S-shaped dragon white jade pendant unearthed from the tomb of the King of Chu in Lion Mountain, Xuzhou, had holes under the eyes of the jade dragon for wearing, which was an accessory. There were also white jade dragon and phoenix patterns from the early Western Han Dynasty, white jade double dragon heads with hooks, and so on. 3. ** Burial Jade ** - In the Han Dynasty, people would reform the ancient jade of the previous dynasty and use it as burial jade. Craftsmen would make the old jade into jade clothes, jade ornaments, jade covers, and other funerary objects. For example, the lacquer wood core inlaid jade pillow unearthed from the tomb of the courtier of the King of Chu in Lion Mountain of Xuzhou was a burial jade. ** 3. Regional differences ** - The jade artifacts unearthed from the tombs of the Han Dynasty in different areas had different characteristics. For example, due to the hot weather and high air humidity in the tomb of the King of Nanyue in Guangzhou, most of the jade articles unearthed were in a white state, while the jade articles unearthed from the tomb of the King of Chu in Lion Mountain in Xuzhou were quite different. ** 4. In terms of artistic value ** - Jade articles of the Han Dynasty had high artistic value. For example, the green jade wall with the pattern of dragon and dragon holding ring and milk nail in Hebei Museum is the most complete and largest jade wall found in our country at present; There is also the white jade wall with double dragons carved on both sides of the jade wall, with a pair of vigorous and majestic Kui dragons carved on the upper end of the wall; The white feathered man riding on a horse jade carving, the round carving squatting posture jade to ward off evil spirits, jade bear, etc. unearthed from the Weiling Cemetery of Emperor Yuan of Han Dynasty; A large number of exquisite jade articles were unearthed from the tomb of Liu He, the deposed emperor of Han Dynasty; The rosefinch ring cup unearthed from the tomb of a senior official of the Han Dynasty in Fangwanggang, Chaohu, Anhui Province, all showed the exquisite craftsmanship of the jade ware of the Han Dynasty. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>
Famous Jade Artifacts of the Tang Dynasty
The following are some famous jade articles from the Tang Dynasty: the Jade Bi with the pattern of the cloud dragon of the Tang Dynasty, made using the techniques of shallow embossed and intagliography. One side is engraved with embossed dragon, and the details are presented by the intagliography lines. It has many unique modeling features. The other side is embossed with cloud patterns in the shape of Ruyi. The jade pendant with the pattern of the double phoenix of the Tang Dynasty is now in the collection of the Palace Museum. The Painting of the Jade Qin of the Yao Qin can be traced back to the period of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. The Jade Bracelet is exquisite in shape, delicate in jade quality, and gentle in texture. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>
Top Jade Artifacts of the Song Dynasty
Since the reference materials did not clearly mention which jade articles of the Song Dynasty were top-notch, it was impossible to pinpoint which were top-notch jade articles of the Song Dynasty. However, from the information given about the jade articles of the Song Dynasty, it could be seen that there were many types of jade articles, such as white jade fish lotus towel ring, white jade bird flower towel ring, lotus boy, green jade dog, Yunshan double crane pattern jade jewelry, white jade cloud pattern cup, and many other shapes. At the same time, jade articles with clear collections (Nanjing Museum) such as the Song Dynasty Hornless Dragon Tiger Jade Wall were also representative. Jade articles of the Song Dynasty developed under the background of cultural and economic prosperity at that time. Emperor Huizong's preference promoted the rise of epigraphy and led to the development of jade articles. Moreover, from the perspective of style, jade articles of the Song Dynasty were no longer exclusive to nobles and became commodities. They had more folk characteristics. These jade articles might have been of extremely high quality at the time of craftsmanship, but it was difficult to determine which were the top jade articles from the available information. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>