Early Chinese Jade From the Prehistoric Era to Han Dynasty (6000 BCE to 220 BC) Gu Fang
T
he Hongshan Culture was one of the most characteristic Neolithic civilizations of the Northeast region of China. It was located along the Liao River and was active 5500-6000 ago from today. It mainly occupied southeastern Inner Mongolia, western Liaoning province and northern Hebei province. Its time period corresponded with the Yangshao Culture of the central valley region. The most known archeological findings from the Hongshan Culture, besides temples and goddess figurines, are the astounding number of jades unearthed. The jades of Hongshan Culture are mostly made of local Xiuyan jade, with a few made of sapphire jade, chalcedony, agate and coal jade. Hongshan jades can be categorized by themes and shapes into animalshaped figures and other pendants. Animal-shaped figures are the majority, consisting of jade tortoises, jade fish, jade birds, jade dragon heads, pig-dragon shaped pendants, etc. Examples of other pendants include hook-shaped cloud pendants, horseshoe-shaped jade hoops, Y-shaped pendants with beastmask decorations, rounded square jade discs, twin or triplet jade discs, jade chalices, jade orbs, jade wands, etc. The ensemble of burial jades in Hongshan Culture usually contain hook-shaped cloud pendants, horseshoe-shaped jade hoops, pig-dragon shaped pendants, jade tortoises, jade birds, etc. The most characteristic features of Hongshan Culture jades are the vivid expressions and symmetry. The dynamic design and masterful craftsmanship make the animal figures dramatic and vivacious, embodying the spirit of the ancient philosophy. (Fig.01-05)
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