Liangzhu Culture Jade Cong, H. 11.8cm, D. 19cm, 11kgs

Identification :
This cong is similar in design but bigger than the one( H. 8.8cm, E.D. 17.6cm, Weight 6.5kgs ) unearthed from Fan Shan Graveyard, Chih Shan Village, Chang Min Township, Yu Hang County, Zhejiang Province,1986, A collection of Archaeology Institute of Zhejiang Province. Antiquity evidences include differential weathering and additive crystals.

Provenance: Private collection, USA

Contact information: palaceantique@gmail.com

Hongshan Culture, Jade Eagle, H. 25cm, W. 22cm, 3500grams

 Identification:

The bright and piercing eyes carved with incised lines with the design more reflect the real object to conform the later genre of the Hongshan culture artifacts. On the backside of the eagle are two smooth double slant incised lines between the wings and the body. A double side bugle shape holes pertinent to Hongshan culture is seen on the neck. 

Made of fine quality jade( white tone nephrite has a prominent mode within the low wavenumber range of 600-800 tested by Raman spectrometer with antiquity evidences of differential weathering ,exposed crystal plane and diffusive markings, the style of carving and hole drilling method and ancient tool mark conforms the characteristics of Hongshan culture artifacts, and with perfect workmanship, fine quality jade and big size of 3500 grams and H. 25cm( much bigger than the one H.18.3cm which had been claimed the biggest in 2004 ) , it is a rather rare and extremely valuable Hongshan jade eagle artifact.

Appreciation:

To reflect Hongshan people's dream of flying high in the sky, eagles are one of the main motifs other than the C-dagon or pig dragon for the Hongshan Culture jades. With strong and solid chest and the wings wide open, it seems ready to fly high. The designs of eagle have evolved from simple shapes of more abstract forms into more detail ones.  This eagle is seen detail design to represent the later period Hongshan genre. Coupled with high quality of jade and mastery workmanship, this is a valuable rare Hongshan artifact.

Provenance: Private collection, USA

Contact information: palaceantique@gmail.com

Seal of Empress of the Chin Dynasy (B.C.221-B.C.206) ,Measurement: H.7.5cms,W.6cms.

The style of the scripts on this seal conforms those of the Chin dynasty. bronze seals( around 2.2cmx2,2cm) of the Palace Museum of Beijing ‘s collection. Especially the last stroke of the seal character of this seal    conforms the typical lining of the Chin calligraphy ( petite sigillaire 小篆 ) style. The artifact consists aging elements such as diffusive markings, deteriorate markings, calcification,cleaving veins and differential weathering to prove its antiquity. Based on the carving and characters styles of the jade seal and its antiquity of evidences, this jade seal is authenticated as genuine Seal of the Express from the Chin Dynasty. Emperor and  Empress were first appeared in Chin Dynasty. The Seal of the Empress is the first in Chinese history that makes this seal is an important artifact and and its value is beyond description.

Provenance: Private collection, USA

Contact information: palaceantique@gmail.com

Emperor Kwan-Wu of Eastern Han Mutton Fat White Jade Paperweight, H. 7cm, D. 7.5cm, Weight: 500g.

Identification:

This seal-form paperweight (paper had been used before Eastern Han Dynasty ) is made of mutton white jade (test result from gem lab ) with carving style of Han Dynasty. The inscription of "Kwan-Wu-Yu-Zhi(光武御製)" on the bottom side of the paperweight has clearly indicated the item belongs to the imperial palace of Emperor Kwan Wu, the first emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty of China. Antiquity evidences include diffusive marking , differential weathering and additive crystal.

Appreciation:

The paperweight has a high relief dragon carving with the body curling around the head. The imposing and majestic looking of the dragon has been thoroughly expressed. In addition, the round and smooth carving has made it easy for holding by hand. It symbolizes that all the livings and properties under the heaven are under the emperor's control. 

Provenance: Private collection, USA

Contact information: palaceantique@gmail.com

Emperor Kwan-Wu of Eastern Han Dynasty (BC6-AD57) Mutton Fat White Jade , H. 15cm, L.18cm, 1.0kg.

  

Identification:

The inscription of "Kwan-Wu-Yu-Zhi(光武御製)" on the chest has identified the original owner of the container which is supposed to be water container called Yan Di (硯滴) in Chinese (writing brush had been used already before Eastern Han). In other words, it was made by the order of the first emperor Kwan-Wu of Eastern Han dynasty about two thousand years ago.  With mastery workmanship, this artifact is made of top quality mutton white jade(see gem lab test result ).  As far as antiquity is concerned,evidences of diffusive marking, deteriorate marking and differential weathering are obvious. 

Appreciation:

The container design of mother carrying baby on the back has seen in the western Zhou Dynasty bronze artifacts. The lid of the container has a young eagle carving. Underneath the tail having two branches( having similar style to that of the bronze bird container ) of the mother eagle protecting a young dragon. The mother eagle is staring backward at both the young eagle and the young dragon to make sure they are nicely taken care of. The noble character of loving not only her own loved but also the others has fully been expressed. This theme conforms the Emperor Kwan -Wu's economic policy of paying attention to people's livelihood, resting with the people. The motif of the dragon is seen on both wings, with the Ruyi ( fulfill of one's wishes) curly cloud motif on the tail. Both motifs are the symbol of nobleness and luck. Fairly unique among emperors in Chinese history was Emperor Guangwu's combination of decisiveness and mercy. He often sought out peaceful means rather than bellicose means of putting areas under his control. He was, in particular, one of the rare examples of a founding emperor of a dynasty who did not kill, out of jealousy or paranoia, any of the generals or officials who contributed to his victories after his rule was secure. The main theme of this jade artifact has fully expressed this.Judging from the perfect design made of top quality jade and historic significance, this artifact is no doubt one of the most valuable ones for serious collectors.

Jade Identification --Scientific Method

There were works on jade identification theory and practice  since the Song and Yuan dynasties. While there are so many divergent views on jade identification, the scientific identification of the ancient jades has been recognized by industry, government and academia. I have done a study presented to a Taipei conference only served as a practical summary to them. In addition, my study attempts to provide a reference comparison method to identify handed down jades without unearthed reports. In the article on Mineralogical Studies of Archaic Jades (p. 199 no. 32, Acta Geological Taiwanica), Prof. Tsien, H. H. has presented the scientific method on jades identification. Since then, the scientific method on jades identification by Prof. Tsien has gained universal acceptance from both academia and professionals. According to Prof. Tsien, Identification of jade antiques consists of three aspects:  
1. authenticity of jade antiques , 2. material composition identification, 3. time period verification.
Authenticity of jade antiques may be verified through certain physical and chemical characteristics including dissolved pits, cleaving veins ,differential weathering, diffusive markings( which should not be mistaken as raw jade skin ), exposure crystals and mineral attachments such as gold placer, Deterioration marking(Aging Spot or ant's leg or cow's hair), underground deterioration and secondary crystal planes which are suitable to serve criteria of authenticity of jade artifacts:
  Cleaving Veins:The cleaving veins seen inside the jade artifact are caused by the interaction of jade to the physical factors of heat and pressure. They are different from the cracks caused by percussion. Usually there are no exterior cracks for cleaving veins and exterior cracks are common phenomena for cracks caused by percussion. These are crystals from the jade itself due to physical factors such as heat and pressure. Underground Deterioration: The channel like natural deterioration are caused by underground chemicals. Additionally, material composition may be reliably and scientifically identified through instruments such as a reflectometer and Raman spectrometer. Generally, nephrite has a refractive index of 1.61 (jadeite has a refractive index of 1.66 )or has a prominent mode within the low wavenumber range of 600-800 and around 3700 high wave number reading via Raman spectrometer. In addition, the hardness of nephrite is 6.5 to 7, while the serpentine has a hardness of 5 to 6. The hardness can be tested by a knife on an not important spot.
To identify the time period of a particular jade artifact may be based on factors including carving style, motifs and designs of the object  considered and characters( if any ) on the jade, (please read information on  Chinese jade chronology.). Above all, according to jade identification expert Dr. Daphne Rosenzweig, jade artifacts should be dated via analytic and systematic approaches. An excellent paper by Eric J. Hoffman is highly recommended to read for more information.

Jade Identification--Hole Drilling Patterns Seen in the Chinese Antique Jades

The irregular surface seen in the hole of authentic jade artifacts of many periods is believed due to the result of particular instruments different from modern ones. As such, those holes are difficult to intimate applying modern tools for fake jades. In addition, holes of artifacts of different periods are shown to have particular patterns. Generally speaking, holes of Hongshan and Liangzhu Cultures jades share same patterns of dual holes having irregular inner surface or helical scoring on the same side. Jade artifacts of the Xia Dynasty have holes having double surfaces fine carved on both sides. Holes of Qijia Culture jade artifacts are seen one directional drilling with irregular remains at the end. As such, hole drilling patterns of different cultures are vital factors to be considered in jade identification.