The History of Ancient Chinese Jade Stones

Jade was first used to beautify utilitarian stone tools. Archeological digs on the east coast have unearthed highly polished jade stone axes and knives which date back about 4500BC. In Shandong and Jiangsu which were the ancient homelands of the Dawenkou Neolithic cultures, several exquisite nephrite pieces were found. (The Neolithic era was the pre-metal age when stone was mainly used for tools and weapons.

Jade was not only used to make ceremonial weapons and tools but also carved into ornaments and shaped into animal figurines. Recent discoveries in northeast China have proven this. Jade animal figurines and other ornaments were unearthed and believed to have been made during the Hongshan culture period (circa 3500 BC). The objects unearthed include realistic models of turtles and birds. Other figurines resemble snakes and coiled reptiles. The was also a collection of strange figurines which are only described as 'pig-dragons'. Hair ornaments, made from jade, were also found.

Another Neolithics people (from the Liangzhu culture period) who date back to 2500 BC, also used jade but mostly as ceremonial tools. The Liangzhu people inherited skills and traditions from the Dawenkou and Hongshan peoples. The jade ceremonial tools consisted of mainly teo types of tools, one was a disc-shaped tool, called a `bi' and the other a pierced rectangle object, called a `cong'.

Twenty-five `bi' and 33 `cong' were discovered in a tomb at Sidun, Jiangsu province.

At both ends of the `cong' are craved into a face-like shape with eyes and a nose. Two types of face were found: one with rounded human eyes and the other with large oval eyes. The latter face also appear on other jade objects, including axes, while the rounder human-eye face were seen on a priest-like figure which had a feathered headdress.

Jade became less common after the development of bronze casting. Nevertheless the `bi' and `cong' shapes were still evident throughout the Bronze Age despite the fact their original purpose was forgotten. The `cong' shapes however became smaller and less and less distinct. In a Han tomb in Jiangsu Province, excavators found a `cong' laid in bronze, which suggests it was a precious heirloom or a highly venerated antique object.

The `bi' endured much longer and was important even during the Shang, Zhou and Han dynasties, thought they were never as popular during the Neolithic period. They were still placed within tombs and presumably remained essential ritual objects.

Ancient jade sceptres which were made during the Neolithic period remained important during the Bronze Age even as stone tools were replaced by bronze ones. These jade objects were very intricately carved during the early Bronze Age of the Erlitou (c.1650 - 1500BC) and the early Shang, or Erligang (c.1500-1400 BC) period, well up to the early Western Zhou era. A sceptre with a splayed end was popular during the early Shang period. Jade bronze halberds (an ancient tool) continued into the Western Zhou until the Ming dynasties (1368-1644 AD).

Animal-shaped jade carvings were not as significant or popular compared to other jade objects. These shapes phased out gradually after the Neolithic Age but were revived during the late Shang era, in the Anyang city. They were much smaller but nevertheless quite realistic as they were carved from small blocks rather than the usual thin jade slabs. These animal pendants were also used in the Western Zhou period.

During the 10th century BC, during the Western Zhou period, a bird-like image began to emerge. At first glance, the image looked like a combination of flowing lines and round vessel shapes. However closer inspection (seen at right), reveals a human figure is combined with that of a bird. That fact is quite surprising as human figures rarely emerged in the Shang and early Western Zhou art. During the Zhou era, the human figures disappeared leaving only the bird images.

In 771BC the Zhou were driven from Xi'an by the Quanrong tribes. As the Zhou fled eastwards, they took their religious scripts and ritual tools but as they settled in new areas, they incorporated the local designs. Thus the rather dull rigidity of late Western Zhou design became more varied and artistic.

Jade carvers during the Eastern Zhou and Han period were very concerned with the concept of immortality. Jade was thought to preserve the body. As early as eighth century BC, small plaques were believed ot have been placed in the burial tombs of princes and noblemen. The jade pieces were first shaped into eyes and mouths but later more were created until there was a piece to reflect every part of the body. Some famous examples have come from Western Han tombs in Hebei province, where Prince Liu Sheng and his wife Dou Wan were buried. Ancient jade figures and shapes have survived to the present day. This was not a chance development but a deliberate attempt to preserve ancient art.

Princes and high officals in the Han era and earlier, carried jade sceptres which were designed to reflect the rank or status of the bearer. However in later cravings, the jade sceptres were made for those who could afford them. Nevertheless the jade continues its importance as the most important and valuable of all Chinese art and is valued greatly worldwide.