What Are the Important Steps to Identify an Ancient Jade Artwork?Episode 1: Material

What Are the Important Steps to Identify an Ancient Jade Artwork?

Episode 1: Material

Correctly identifying an ancient jade artwork is the crucial first step in our jadeology journey, which is why I’ve chosen to address this topic as my first post.

Many jade experts propose various methods for identification. Some advocate measuring the density of the stone to confirm it is jade, while others focus on identifying tool marks to determine if the piece was crafted with rotary tools. Others suggest comparing pieces with those published by major museums, and a few even claim you can learn to identify jade in just five minutes.

However, accurately identifying an ancient jade piece requires a comprehensive approach. It must involve examining material, patina/stains, design, and craftsmanship. This holistic method, recognized by renowned jade experts like Deng Shuping of the Taiwan Palace Museum, has been passed down through generations of collectors. Surprisingly, this fundamental concept remains underappreciated in much of the ancient jade community.

That’s why I emphasize this method as the most reliable and important approach. When you look at a jade piece, what do you see?

First, you see it as a stone with some designs on it. Let’s break this process down step by step.

Material: Is the Stone Jade?

Jade is a special type of precious stone, prized for its durability and beauty. It is incredibly hard to break, and the more it is polished or used, the shinier and more beautiful it becomes. During the Neolithic period, jade was revered as the essence of the Earth. It was believed to embody the Earth’s energy, serve as a medium between humans and the divine, and offer protection.

Going deeper, we ask: What kind of jade is it?

Ancient jade material varied depending on the region. Early peoples used jade sourced from nearby rivers and mountains, as local accessibility was a key factor. However, over thousands of years, some jade sources were exhausted, and even active mines have shown changes in the types and quality of jade they produce.

For example, turquoise, while not technically nephrite jade, has been a prized material since ancient times—dating back over 4,000 years. In Chinese, turquoise was traditionally called “綠松石” (lǜ sōng shí), which translates to “green pine stone.” However, much of the turquoise found today, particularly from Hubei—the region historically known as its source—is predominantly blue rather than green. When I first encountered an ancient turquoise piece, its vibrant green hue allowed me to finally connect it with its historical name and significance.

Jade as a Marker of Culture and Trade

It is logical to assume that ancient people primarily used locally sourced jade, given its accessibility. Yet, as we delve deeper into jadeology, we encounter jade materials that were likely imported from distant regions. Some jade pieces were transported from faraway lands, raising fascinating questions about the mobility of ancient civilizations and the significance of jade to them.

How did they transport such heavy stones over long distances? What did these jade rocks mean to their societies?

In recent years, the study of intercultural exchange has become a hot topic among scholars. Jade, as a material, provides concrete evidence of ancient trade and cultural connections. By examining jade, we can trace human movements and witness how cultures intersected through the exchange of precious materials.

Next time, we’ll explore the second part of this series: the stains and patina on jade.