Passage III

Jade: The Stone of China

[1]

From the beginning of recorded Chinese history until the end of the Ch'ing dynasty, jade held a significant place in China. China had an abundant supply of jade, which contributed to the stone's influence in the culture. The Chinese also regarded the physical characteristics of jade with fascination. Jade is hard; making it difficult to chip or flake, but once polished, its surface is smooth and silky to the touch. Variations in color—and they were frequent— added further interest to the forms fashioned by Chinese artisans. (33)

[2]

From the Sung dynasty to the Ming dynasty, jade carvings assumed practical forms—as axes, chisels, and other tools as well, as ornamental forms, such as earrings and pendants. Jade also inspired them to create objects that were both useful and decorative. Many cups and containers were embellished with birds, peach blossoms, and other adornments inspired by nature. An entire cup, for example, was fashioned in the shape of a lotus leaf.

[3]

Decorations could be very complex. A brush holder from the Ch'ing dynasty had carvings that covered every inch of their surface; the elaborate details included representations of clouds, trees, mountains, and people. This scene depicted in jade told the story of scholarly recluses who, in ancient times, retreated to mountain caves to escape the warring factions with their books that threatened their way of life.

[4]

[1] In addition to its aesthetic importance, there was with jade a spiritual value stemming from its early associations with traditional Taoist beliefs. [2] This belief inspired Taoist physicians having created a digestible form of jade powder that he hoped would increase human longevity. [3] By these traditional beliefs in the extraordinary powers of jade invested the stone with a significance far beyond its usefulness as a tool or as a medium for artistic expression. (45)