Language: Chinese and English bilingual
ISBN/ISSN: 7030160096
Published on: 2005-01
Hardcover
1. Hubei area
The earliest known jades unearthed in Hubei province date to ca.4000BC of the Daxi Culture of the Neolithic period .The Daxi Culture is distributed mostly along the shores surrounding Dongting Lake. Jades of this period are mostly unornamented pieces that have been simply worked by means of boring, abrading and incising.
The Shijiahe Culture represents the first peak in jade working during the Neolithic in Hubei province. Small-scale jade ornaments predominate and most are abstractions of humans and animals.
From the time the Erlitou Culture expanded south and thereafter, there were many periods within which jade-working was influenced by the precedent emanating from the Central Plains. Presently, there is no evidence for jades of Erlitou type in the Hubei area.
During the Yinxu period, the northern Central Plains was the cultural center. At this time most of Hubei lacked significant centers of civilization and few jades have been discovered. This condition characterizes the Western Zhou era until the time of the southern campaign of the Zhou.
The rise of feudal states at the end of the Western Zhou period stimulated the development of handicrafts which production lasted through the Warring States period. A new peak in jade-working is expressed in two groups of jades:1) state Zeng jades which show inheritance of the Zhou cultural tradition and 2) state Chu jades with unique characteristics. State Zeng jades come from aristocratic tombs that date to the transition between Western and Eastern Zhou periods. State Chu jades in Hubei of the Spring and Autumn period currently are only known by a few finds in the area of Dangyang, at Tangjiaxiang, Yaojiagang and Zhaoxiang. The popular material talc and turquoise of the Han though Jin and Six Dynasties began to be used as inlay in jade production at this time period.
Han period jades continue styles of their Chu predecessors as represented by jades unearthed from sites. The low level of jade production continues through the Three Kingdoms, Jin and Six Dynasties periods.
2. Hunan area
The earliest jades excavated in Hunan era derive from the early period of the Daxi Culture. Jades from this period are simple shapes with plain surfaces yet with a sophisticated polish.
Recently there have been many stray finds of Shijiahe Culture jades in Hunan. The quality of the jade is high, with variation in the degree of the jade’s material density.
Compared with finds of Erlitou period date from the Central Plains, Hunan sites are few and jades small in number. Shang and Zhou period jades derive primarily form Shimen and Ningxiang.
Many sites, mostly tombs, with jades of the Eastern Zhou period have been discovered in Hunan. Spring and Autumn period jades are concentrated along the upper valley of the Xiang River and most are associated with the Yue Culture, although a few belong to the Chu Culture.
During the Warring States period the majority of Hunan belonged to the domain of Chu. Excavated sites are widespread and jade shaped numerous. Jade ornaments from these Chu tombs in Hunan reflect a sophisticated height of artistry. Types are many techniques are refined, ornament is rich, and the aesthetic is profound.
The brief historical period of Qin unification is by a group of jades from burials excavated in the Changsha area of Hunan.
Many Han jades have been unearthed in Hunan, with the majority form the Western Han site of Changsha. Jades from these sites may be identified according to use, with the majority insignia, others ornamental, burial or daily used jades, as characterized the Spring and Autumn through Warring States periods, although usage has greatly expanded in time and space. Han dynasty jades from Hunan reflect local characteristics, based on Chu tradition and influence.
Excavated tombs with jades in Hunan from the Three Kingdoms and two Jin and Southern dynastic periods are plentiful. Jades are characterized by an Eastern Han style and new shapes, indication that the western Jin material is valuable data for the study of jade of post-Han periods in Hunan.
Although jades discoveries from Hunan are rather piecemeal and sporadic due to few archaeological excavations, no doubt new discoveries will be revealed through future archaeological endeavor.
Contents
Jades Unearthed from the areas of Hubei and Hunan
Chronology
1. Blade
2. Ornament in the Shape of a Human Head
3. Ornament in the Shape of a Human Head
4. Ornament in the Shape of a Human Head
5. Ornament in the Shape of a Human Head
6. Ornament in the Shape of a Human Head
7. Pair of Ornaments in the Shape of Tiger Faces
8. Ornament in the Shape of a Tiger Face
9. Ornament in the Shape of a Tiger Face
10. Ornament in the Shape of a Tiger Head
11. Ornament in the Shape of a Simplified Tiger Head
12. Ornament in the Shape of a Tiger Head
13. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
14. Ornament in the Shape of a Deer Head
15. Ornament in the Shape of Analysis Eagle
16. Pendant in the Shape of a Cicada
17. Ornament in the Shape of a Cicada
18. Ornament in the Shape of a Cicada
19. Three Ornaments in the Shape of Cicada
20. Object in the Shape of a Handle
21. Hairpin in the Shape of a Hawk
22. Two Tubes
23. Arc-shaped Pendant(huang)
24. Ornament
25. Disc(bi)
26. Two Tubes
27. Pendant in the Shape of a Human Head
28. Ornament in the Shape of a Human Head
29. Ornament in the Shape of a Human Head
30. Ornament in the Shape of a Human Head
31. Ring in the Shape of a Phoenix
32. Pendant in the Shape of a Cicada
33. Ornament in the Shape of a Human Head
34. Ornament in the Shape of a Tiger Face
35. Ornament in the Shape of a Tiger Face
36. Hairpin in the Shape of a Hawk
37. Hairpin
38. Adze
39. Scepter(zhuang)
40. Dagger-axe(ge)
41. Dagger-axe(ge)
42. Dagger-axe(ge)
43. Dagger-axe(ge)
44. Dagger-axe(ge)
45. Dagger-axe(ge)
46. Dagger-axe(ge)
47. Object in the Shape of a Handle
48. Object in the Shape of a Handle
49. Object in the Shape of a Handle
50. Object in the Shape of a Handle
51. Object in the Shape of a Handle
52. Object in the Shape of a Handle
53. Hairpin
54. Blade
55. Notched Ornament
56. Arc-shaped Pendant(huang)
57. Arc-shaped Pendant
58. Pendant in the Shape of a Hawk
59. Ornament in the Shape of a Serpent
60. Ornament in the Shape of a Cicada
61. String of Beads
62. Pendant in the Shape of a Tiger
63. Pendant With Openwork
64. Pendant in the Shape of a Fish
65. Disc(bi) With an Openwork Dragon
66. Disc(bi)
67. Pendant in the Shape of Two Connected Dragons
68. Pendant in the Shape of a Deer
69. Disc (bi)
70. Disc (bi)
71. Disc (bi)
72. Pendant With Two Dragons Decoration
73. Two Slit Rings(jue)
74. Arc-shaped Pendant(heng)
75. Arc-shaped Pendant(heng)
76. Arc-shaped Pendant(huang)
77. Pair of Arc-shaped Pendant(huang)
78. Pair of Arc-shaped Pendant(heng)
79. Arc-shaped Pendant(huang)
80. Arc-shaped Pendant(heng)
81. Pair of Arc-shaped Pendants(huang)
82. Pair of Pendants in the Shape of Dragon
83. Pair of Pendants in the Shape of Dragon
84. Pair of Pendants in the Shape of Dragon
85. Pendant in the Shape of a Coiled Dragon
86. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
87. Pendant in the Shape of Two Dragons
88. Pendant in the Shape of Two Dragons
89. Pendant in the Shape of a Tiger
90. Pendant in the Shape of a Bird
91. Pendant in the Shape of a Fish
92. Sword
93. Sixteen-segmented Ornament With Dragon And Phoenix Decoration
94. Four-segmented Ornament With Dragon And Phoenix Decoration
95. Belt Hook
96. Pair of Belt Hooks
97. Comb With Scroll Decoration
98. Thumb Ring
99. Bracelet
100. Tube(cong) With Animal Mask Decoration
101. Half a Tube(cong)
102. Human Figurine
103. Mouth Plugs
104. Pair of Hand-Held Pieces With Scroll Decoration
105. Five Slips With Dragon Decoration
106. Bronze Knife With Jade Pommel
107. Face Cover
108. Pendant With Two Openwork Dragons
109. Bead in the Shape of a Silkworm Cocoon
110. Ring
111. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
112. Pair of Pendants in the Shape of Dragons
113. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
114. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
115. Ring
116. Arc-shaped Pendant(huang)
117. Pendant
118. Ring
119. Disc (bi)
120. Pairs of Disc(bi) And Pendants
121. Pair of Pendants in the Shape of Dragons
122. Pair of Arc-shaped Pendants(huang)
123. Pair of Arc-shaped Pendants(huang)
124. Pair of Pendants in the Shape of Dragons
125. Belt-Hook
126. Pendant in the Shaped of Three Figures Standing On a Pig
127. Disc(bi)
128. Disc(bi)
129. Disc(bi)
130. Scabbard Chape
131. Disc(bi)
132. Arc-shaped Pendant(huang) With Two Dragon Heads Decoration
133. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
134. Ring
135. Ring
136. Seal
137. Disc(bi)
138. Scepter(gui)
139. Scepter(gui)
140. Pendant With Two Rabbits Decoration
141. Pendant in the Shape of a Peony Blossom
142. Pendant in the Shape of a Mandarin Ducks
143. Boy Holding a Lotus Leaf
144. Set of Belt Plaques
145. Belt Hook
146. Hairpin
147. Hairpin
148. Hat Top
149. Pair of Arc-shaped Pendants(huang)
150. Slit Ring(jue)
151. Slit Ring(jue)
152. Ring
153. Pendant
154. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
155. Pendant in the Shape of a Phoenix
156. Hairpin
157. Two Hairpins
158. Arc-shaped Pendant(huang)
159. Disc(bi)
160. Disc(bi)
161. Spindle Whorl
162. Slit Ring(jue)
163. Pair of Rings
164. Pendant in the Shape of a Beast
165. Pendant in the Shape of a Beast
166. Dragon
167. Two Collared Discs(bi)
168. Pendant in the Shape of a Fish
169. Pendant in the Shape of a Fish
170. Pendant in the Shape of a Fish
171. Pendant in the Shape of a Fish
172. Pendant in the Shape of a Tiger
173. Tube(cong)
174. Disc(bi)
175. Ring
176. Arc-shaped Pendant(huang) With Two Dragon Heads Decoration
177. Ring With Plaited Cord Decoration
178. Ring in the Shape of a Double-Headed Dragon
179. Arc-shaped Pendant(heng)
180. Arc-shaped Pendant(huang)
181. Arc-shaped Pendant(huang)
182. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
183. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
184. Ornament
185. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
186. Disc(bi)
187. Arc-shaped Pendant(huang)
188. Seal
189. Pair of Pendants in the Shape of Dragons
190. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
191. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
192. Scabbard Chape
193. Belt Hook
194. Pendant in the Shape of Dragons
195. Scabbard Slide
196. Sword Pommel
197. Disc(bi)
198. Vessel(zun)
199. Ornament With Animal Decoration
200. Disc(bi)
201. Ring
202. Pair of Arc-shaped Pendants(huang)
203. Ornament With Dragon Decoration
204. Pendant in the Shape of a Heart
205. Pendant in the Shape of a Hear
206. Cowries
207. Ring With Dragon And Phoenix Decoration
208. Two Seals
209. Disc(bi)
210. Disc(bi)
211. Ring
212. Seal
213. Seal
214. Seal
215. Scabbard Slide
216. Sword Pommel
217. Scabbard Slide
218. Scabbard Slide
219. String of Beads
220. Disc(bi)
221. Pendant in the Shape of a Heart
222. Scabbard Slide
223. Sword Pommel
224. Sword Guard
225. Scabbard Slide
226. Scabbard Chape
227. Pig
228. Pig
229. Disc(bi)
230. Scabbard Chape
231. Pendant in the Shape of a Heart
232. Pig
233. Pendant in the Shape of a Double-Headed Dragon
234. Pendant in the Shape of a Heart
235. Spoon
236. Seal
237. Wine Vessel(zhi) With Dragon And Phoenix Decoration
238. Wine Vessel(zhu) With Animal Decoration
239. Pendant in the Shape of a Heart
240. Pendant in the Shape of a Heart
