Jade objects from the Shang and Zhou dynasties and earlier periods are on display at Nanshan Museum.
A jade deer from the Zhou Dynasty.
A jade beaded pendant set from the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 B.C.).
A red agate object from the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.).
An arc-shaped jade fish from the Western Zhou Dynasty.
Jade objects from the Shang Dynasty.
Jade, a kind of beautiful stone revered by the Chinese as a reflection of the essence of mountains and rivers, is a product of millennia-long natural processes. Renowned for its exquisite beauty and the meticulous craftsmanship involved in its creation, jade symbolizes purity and nobility in traditional Chinese culture.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this stone holds significant importance in ancient Chinese rituals, chosen by rulers as ceremonial objects.
In the intricate tapestry of China's jade history, artifacts from the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 B.C.) stand out for their material selection, distinctive shapes, and elegantly smooth patterns.
A newly opened exhibition, titled "Timeless Beauty: A Showcase of Zhou Dynasty Jade Artifacts Unearthed in Shanxi," at the Nanshan Museum, presents a collection of 113 jade treasures, offering a glimpse into the beliefs, artistic sensibilities, and artisanal expertise of a civilization that thrived over two millennia ago.
The exhibited artifacts serve various functions, including ceremonial, ritualistic, funerary, pendant, ornamental, and decorative purposes, reflecting the diverse facets of the Zhou Dynasty life. As spectators marvel at the various shapes and intricate designs of the jade artifacts, they are not only treated to a visual feast but also granted a deeper insight into the profound and expansive realms of Chinese civilization.
Archaeological discoveries have found numerous dazzling Zhou Dynasty remains in Shanxi Province where there were many feudal states during the dynasty. The Zhou people, in inheriting and evolving the tradition of jade from their predecessors, imbued these artifacts with rituals, thus establishing a distinctive jade culture.
Detailed descriptions in English and Chinese provided in the exhibition outline the various forms and functions of jade objects in ancient China. Through these descriptions, visitors are offered a comprehensive insight into the unique jade culture that defined this illustrious period in Chinese history.
Dates: Until Sept. 1
Tickets: Free
Venue: Nanshan Museum, Nanshan District
Metro: Line 1 or 12 to Taoyuan Station, Exit B