Ornamental Jade House Decorations and Jade Snuff Bottles

Jade trees were mentioned in Chinese jade literature since Emperor Wu (140-86 B.C.). Branches of red coral, leaves of green jade, and flowers of semi-precious stones such as carnelian, agate, and colorful quartz decorated the tree branches. There are no findings of existing jade trees prior to the Qing Dynasty, but a plethora of this ornamental jade has survived until the present, mostly dating to the 18th century under Qien Lung. It was customary under the Qing Dynasty that wealthy brides would have a pair of jade trees in their bridal trousseau, usually enclosed in glass. Jade trees were planted in pots of jade and hard stone, or more commonly in metal containers adorned by cloisonne enamels. Pomegranate was the most frequently chosen tree due to its symbol of fertility. Interestingly enough, the ancient Hebrews also believed in the pomegranate as a fertility symbol due to its multitude of seeds. The pomegranate appeared in many Hebrew decorations, especially ancient coins. Chrysanthemum was the most common flower decorating jade tree jardinieres, as it is called the "flower of wealth and honorable position"

White celadon jade carving in the shape of a mountain, dating to the Qing period. Studying or praying literati are shown in caves surrounded by pagodas, pine trees.

Size : 8.3" x 4.5" x 1.6" (21.2 x 11.5 x 4 cm)

Blue jade sceptre (ju yi), dating to the 18th century (Qien Lung period). It is decorated in high relief with open work of superlative quality. The obverse features two dragons frolicking between ling zhi springs. The reverse exhibits ling zhi and part of the bodies of chi dragons. Size : 11.2" x 2.8" (28.5 x 7 cm)

Jade snuff bottles were common in the 18th and 19th centuries, mostly due to the European influenced use of tobacco snuff powder. Very elaborate jade carvings with high reflif decorations co-exist with modest jade bottles carved with simple designs.

Yellow jade snuff bottle decorated with pine tree branches in bas relief. The jade stopper is of the same color. Size : 3" x 2.5" (7.5 x 6.2 cm)

Buddhist Jade Art Carvings

Buddhist symbols and themes appear in jade carvings since the Tang Dynasty. A wealth of Buddhist influenced themes is also found in jade carvings of the Sung Dynasty. The most common figure in jade carvings is the Goddess Guan Yin, apparently identical to the Boddhisattva Avalokitesvara who is usually represented as a flying woman with flowing hair and surrounded by lotus flowers. Boddhisattvas as Buddhist saints are represented with ascetic figures, the most common being Boddhisattva Samanthabhadra represented as a bearded ascetic man seated in a grotto. Boddhisattva Samanthabhadra is also represented as a beautiful woman riding an elephant. Very frequently, Boddhisattva Avalokiteshvara appears as a beautiful woman riding a lion.

Buddhist influenced decorations in jade are the eight precious things and the seven gems. The most common ornaments among jade carvings are the eight emblems of the Taoist immortals and also the eight happy omens. Swastika as well as the four accomplishments Chin, Chi, Hua and Shu are also frequently represented in jade carvings.



Whitish-celadon jade carving in the shape of Shou Lao seated and holding a peach in his right hand. The left hand holds mala (Buddhist rosaries) and is resting on his left knee. Another symbol of immortality is the crane on his left side. Date to the Ming Dynasty. Size: 6" x 5" (15.2 x 12.2 cm)

Green jade pendant featuring a Buddhist deity on the obverse. A peach, bats and dragons are carved on the reverse in low-relief. Size: 2.2" x 1.8" (5.4 x 4.1 cm)


Jadeite pendant carved in white jade representing Guan Yin with a boy holding a gaint peach and standing on her right side. The reverse is decorated with lotus. Size: 2.8" x 1.7" (7.1 x 4.5 cm)

Purple-blue jade carving in the shape of a Buddhist deity. A dragon's figure is on the bottom. The reverse is adorned with ling zhi flowers and other decorations. It has a flat bottom for easy standing. Size: 5" x 4.25" (12.5 x 11 cm)

Jadeite & Nephrite

Jadeite
Jadeite occurs as grains in metamorphosed sodic sediments and volcanic rocks, and is associated with glaucophane and aragonite. It is intermediate in composition to albite and nepheline, although they have nothing in common in terms of apperance, Burma (Myanmar) is the major source of jadeite, and is the only source of red jadeite, although good stones are also still unearthed in Guatemala.

Nephrite
China is not the only venerable source of nephrite. In Russia, it has been mined and crafted since 3000 BC. Tsar Alexander III's (1845-94) sarcophagus was carved from nephrite. For about 3000 years, the stone has been highly prized by the Native North Americans of British Columbia, Canada, where it was known as squa or lisht. In New Zealand, where some of the best-quality nephrite is mined, it is sometimes known as 'greenstone'. For centuries, the Maori have made beautiful nephrite carvings, and they relied on it for tools until the Europeans introduced metals in the 18 century.



(please click on the table to enlarge)