Qing Dynasty Jade Artifacts on Show in the Forbidden City
The Palace Museum had held several exhibition of Qing Dynasty jade ware. For example, on August 16,2014, the exhibition "Jade Artifacts and Manas of the Qing Dynasty in the Palace Museum" was held for one month. There were 110 pieces (sets) of jade artifacts from the Qing Dynasty in the Palace Museum on display, covering four aspects: furnishings, daily utensils, decorative ornaments, and antique utensils. The types of artifacts included mountains, screens, flower sockets, bowls, plates, cups, boxes, pen holders, water cups, pen washing, thumb rings, incense bags, respect, cups, Gu, pots, etc. On August 20,2024, in the "Glittering in Prosperity--Palace Museum's Qing Dynasty Palace Jade Exhibition", 138 pieces of fine jade carvings were selected from nearly 19000 pieces (sets) of Qing Dynasty jade carvings collected by the Palace Museum for exhibition, including Qing Dynasty jade ware. Read more exciting novels for free
All Jade Artifacts in the Forbidden City
There were many kinds of jade articles in the Forbidden City. There were many kinds of jade articles arranged according to the order of the times and classified according to the function of the articles, including ritual articles, tools, ornaments, practical articles, furnishings and other categories. For example, white jade spoons, white jade lotus petal bowls, green jade boys riding elephants, white jade three-ear jars, etc. from the Tang and Song Dynasties, as well as white jade sheep-headed beam pots from the Qing Dynasty. At the same time, there were special jade artifacts such as the twenty-five square treasure seals, which were the most precious treasures of the Qing Dynasty. However, there were so many jade articles in the Forbidden City that it was difficult to list them all in detail. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>
On the Development of Jade Artifacts in Qing Dynasty
The development of jade in the Qing Dynasty could be roughly divided into three stages: 1. ** Early Qing Dynasty (1644 -the end of the 18th century, including Shunzhi, Kangxi and Yongzheng dynasties)** - In the early days of the Qing Dynasty, due to political changes and social unrest, the production and inheritance of jade ware were affected to a certain extent. - The emperor advocated simplicity, so there were relatively few jade articles made. For example, in the Palace Museum in Beijing, except for the imperial palace jade seal, which was mostly made in the early Qing Dynasty, there was almost no jade directly engraved with the Shunzhi or Kangxi years, and the number of jade that could be judged to be in the early Qing Dynasty was very small. In the tomb of the granddaughter of the first-grade official Soni in the early Qing Dynasty, although there were dozens of jade articles, most of them were made in the Ming Dynasty or before. Only a few were made in the early Qing Dynasty. - At that time, although most of the territory of the country had been incorporated into the Qing Dynasty, before the 24th year of Qianlong (1759), due to the frequent rebellion of the upper nobles in Xinjiang, it was not effectively controlled. Hetian jade rarely entered the mainland, and most of them were smuggled, which also restricted the production of jade. The jade wares of this period mostly inherited the style of the Ming Dynasty, focusing on simple lines and exquisite shapes. At the same time, the palace craftsmen began to invent and introduce new techniques and crafts to make the jade wares more diverse. 2. ** Mid Qing Dynasty (Mid-18th century-early 19th century, including Qianlong and Jiaqing dynasties)** - With the stability of society, the economy entered the "Golden Age of Qianjia", the integration of Manchu and Han cultures, especially the preference of Emperor Qianlong for ancient jade, the jade-cutting industry that had entered a low point in the early Qing Dynasty gradually recovered and flourished, forming another peak in the history of China jade-cutting. - In the 24th year of Qianlong (1759), the rebellion in Xinjiang was put down, and Xinjiang was under the control of the Qing government. A large number of Hetian jade was transported into the mainland, which promoted the rapid development of jade craftsmanship. - At that time, there were a lot of jade articles made, ranging from jade mountains that weighed ten thousand catties to exquisite and transparent ornaments. It was well made, the materials were of high quality, and the style of the era was distinct. It represented the highest level of jade in the Qing Dynasty. In the middle of the 18th century, the economy and culture of the Qing Dynasty reached its peak. During this period, the production of jade articles was more exquisite, and innovative designs and complex carvings became the characteristics. The demand for jade articles by the court and the rich people promoted the development of craftsmanship. For example, the Painting of Jade Hundred Treasures showed the variety and exquisiteness of jade articles at that time. 3. ** Late Qing Dynasty (Mid-19th century- 1912, including the Daoguang to Xuantong dynasties)** - With the decline of the Qing Dynasty in the mid-19th century, social unrest and external pressure led to changes in jade production. - Although the palace craftsmen still made exquisite jade, social unrest and economic difficulties affected the inheritance and innovation of jade craftsmanship. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>
Appreciation of Ming and Qing Dynasty Jade Artifacts
The Ming and Qing Dynasties old jadeite had rich appreciation points: ###1. Color - There were many colors, including green, white, purple, blue, yellow, etc. Among them, green was the most common and had a higher value. When appreciating the color, one had to pay attention to its brightness. For example, the old jade with rich color was more attractive. One also had to pay attention to the fairness of the color distribution. The evenly distributed color would make the overall appearance of the jade better. At the same time, one had to check whether there were impurities. The jade with no impurities or less impurities had an advantage in color. ###2. Quality - The quality of the Ming and Qing Dynasty jade was exquisite, and the internal structure was tight. When one touched it with his hand, he could feel the smooth texture of the jade. Its luster was soft, and its surface was oily. This kind of old jade had a higher artistic value and collection value. When appreciating the texture, one had to carefully observe whether there were cracks or impurities in the internal structure. ###3. Craftsmanship - The old jadeite of the Ming and Qing Dynasties had exquisite craftsmanship. When appreciating it, one had to pay attention to its carving skills, polishing techniques, and embedding techniques. The exquisite old jade had smooth and natural lines carved on it, and its surface was smooth and flat. For example, the sculpting style was vivid and realistic, the decorative patterns were exquisite and meticulous, or the embedding process was seamless and unique. ###4. Period - Old jade from different periods had different characteristics. In the early Qing Dynasty, jadeite was thick and generous, with smooth lines, while in the middle and late Qing Dynasty, it paid more attention to detail carving, with delicate lines and various shapes. Through the characteristics of the shape, decoration, and style of the jade, one could judge the period it belonged to, so as to better grasp its historical and artistic value. For example, the jade thumb ring unearthed from Li Lianying's tomb in Enji Village, Haidian, displayed in the Capital Museum. Judging from the color and texture, the water and color were the best at that time. From the perspective of craftsmanship, it also reflected the level of craftsmanship at that time. Moreover, because it was related to historical figures, it also had a certain historical and cultural value. <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>
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>
Ancient Jade Artifacts of Tang Dynasty
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>
Appreciating Jade Artifacts and Distinguishing Fake Artifacts in Yin Shang Dynasty
Based on the information he had, he only knew that there was a book called " Yin Shang Jade Appreciation and Fake Identification: Research and Exploration of Yin Shang Jade Artifacts ". However, he did not know the specific content of this book, such as the key points of Yin Shang Jade Appreciation and the methods to identify fakes. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>