Chinese Ancient Jade: A Century of Discovery and Research

Author: Zhang Minghua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: China is the country with the most developed jade culture in the world. The Chinese people have a history of using, loving, and being fascinated by jade for thousands of years. According to historical records, the ancestors of China believed that holding jade objects could connect them with heaven, earth, and ancestors, consuming jade powder could prolong life, and placing jade in the mouths of the deceased could bring them back to life. At the same time, jade objects became symbols of identity, status, and wealth for emperors and nobles. Whether it was the mysterious Taoist philosophy or the systematic Confucian philosophy, as well as various theological, sorcerous, religious, and superstitious beliefs, all played a role in promoting and deepening Chinese jade culture to an unimaginable and unparalleled extent. In the 21st century, the love for and study of jade continue to flourish, and Westerners have also developed an increasingly strong interest in Chinese jade culture. The past fifty years since the founding of New China have been a period of significant achievements in scientific excavation and research of ancient jade, as well as unprecedented activity in the study of jade. However, due to the scattered nature of related materials, few people have comprehensively summarized them. The author of this book spent years working on this beneficial endeavor, compiling it from both historical evolution and thematic research, with the help of the exquisite jade pieces from the Complete Collection of Chinese Jade published by Hebei Fine Arts Publishing House. The text and illustrations complement each other, and it is bound to be well-received by jade enthusiasts and researchers.