Other Jades in National Palace Museum, part1

Welcome to the National Palace Museum's collection of Other Jades! Here you will find a variety of jade artifacts from different periods in Chinese history. You can explore the Jade Hooked Cloud-shaped Pei Ornament from the Liao River region, the Jade Pig-dragon from the Hongshan Culture, and the Jade Cong Tube from the Qing court. We also have Jade Gui Tablets from the Longshan culture, Jade Tablet from the Qianlong reign, and a Jade Ornament in the Shape of Phoenix Crowned with Dragon. Additionally, there is a Xi Bodkin with Chi Tiger Pattern from the Warring States period and a Jade High-stemmed Cup. Come take a look at these incredible artifacts today!

1. Jade Hooked Cloud-shaped Pei Ornament

The ancient Chinese people believed that birds of prey were mystical creatures that could communicate with the gods. They would often see these birds soaring over the deserts and steppes to the west of the Liao River and north of Mount Yan.

2. Jade Pig-dragon

This pig-dragon is a jade object from the Hongshan Culture. It is shaped differently than other pigs, with bat ears, a wrinkled nose, and an arched mouth. Some people think it looks like an embryo.

3. Jade Cong Tube

This large jade cong probably entered the Qing court in the 19th century. It is carved from a piece of deep green nephrite with light and dark ochre spotting. The surface still reveals the arcing traces of depressions left when the jade was first cut.

4. Jade Gui Tablet

The Longshan culture was a period of time in China when people were divided into social classes and jade was used as a symbol of social status. This jade piece is a ceremonial jade from an area located in the middle to lower part of the Yellow River during the Longshan period.

5. Jade Gui Tablet

This jade gui tablet is yellow on both sides, with the lower half of the reverse side having a red tinge. The cutting edge of the blade is much darker, almost black, and exhibits many nicks. The other end, where the tablet was held, also shows signs of damage.

6. Jade Cong Tube

The Liangzhu Culture developed in the area around Lake T'ai in the lower Yangtze River region about 4000 to 5000 years ago. An important ritual vessel used by the people of this culture in religious ceremonies was the jade cong tube.

7. Jade Tablet

The jade tablet is hard, has a warm luster, and is ochre-red with yellow and green spots. Its shape is slightly trapezoidal. The jade tablet was originally plain, but in the Qianlong reign it was engraved with two imperial poems of different dates.

8. Jade Ornament in the Shape of Phoenix Crowned with Dragon

This carving depicts a phoenix with a kui-dragon as a crown. It has been carved with great precision, giving it a lot of spirit. The head of the phoenix bears the kui-dragon as a crown.

9. Xi Bodkin with Chi Tiger Pattern

This piece is a carved jade dragon from the Warring States period. The dragon, called a "xi", is hornless and resembles a tiger. The jade is a unique russet red color, and the dragon is shown with its head turned back.

10. Jade High-stemmed Cup