What Are the Important Steps to Identify an Ancient Jade Artwork?Episode 2B: Patina

In the previous episode, we explored stains on ancient jade, which add layers of color to the artwork, distinct from the jade's original hue. While stains are a unique gift from time and the nurturing environment, not all ancient jade pieces retain them. However, one feature that all ancient jade must possess is patina—the irrefutable hallmark of age.

What Is Patina?

Patina is a thin, film-like layer that forms on the surface of jade over centuries. It represents the “aged skin” of the jade. Imagine an elderly person’s hands—though they might appear smooth and well-kept, the subtle wrinkles and texture are inevitable markers of age. Similarly, patina is the natural, aged surface of ancient jade.

In Chinese, patina is called 包漿 (Baojiang), which translates to "a thin film," often likened to a milk-like material resting on the jade’s surface.

Patina forms not only on jade but also on bronze, metal, wood, and other materials that age slowly through oxidation. For jade, it is an essential indicator of antiquity. Even jade with minimal staining, like many Hongshan pieces, will always exhibit patina if it is truly ancient.

What Does Patina Look Like?

Patina gives jade a soft sheen, creating a luster akin to a gentle, quiet glow—much like a pearl. Unlike the brilliant, sharp shine of a diamond, jade’s patina embodies understated elegance, which Confucian philosophy likened to the demeanor of a well-educated gentleman.

Ancient jade often displays a deepened luster due to several factors:

• Craftsmanship:Ancient artisans used basic tools such as stone slabs and wooden sticks, combined with water and sand. This slow, deliberate crafting process polished the jade surface over time, creating an unparalleled sheen that modern tools cannot replicate.

• Generational Use:Jade was often treasured and passed down through generations before being buried. Frequent handling by human hands infused the jade with oils, further enhancing its luster.

• Burial Environment:After centuries of burial, jade was naturally "nurtured" by the earth. Once unearthed, exposure to oxygen created a thin film on the surface—this is the patina.

How to Identify Patina

To authenticate a piece of jade, examine not only its large, visible surfaces but also less obvious areas, such as:

• The walls of tiny drill holes.

• The bottoms of incised lines.

The patina should be consistent across all these areas. If the surface is aged, the interior of the holes and carved lines, created during the same time frame, should display similar signs of age.

Can Patina Be Faked?

Can a sixty-year-old woman’s hands convincingly resemble those of a newborn? The answer is no, and the same principle applies to patina.

Modern techniques, such as rubbing oil on jade, may create a superficial shine, but they cannot replicate the depth and texture of genuine patina formed over millennia. With experience and practice, discerning real patina becomes second nature. Many seasoned experts can distinguish authentic patina from a forgery at a glance, even from several feet away.

In ConclusionPatina is not merely a superficial feature—it is the aged fingerprint of ancient jade. By understanding and identifying patina, we unlock another layer of history embedded within these timeless artifacts. Stay tuned for the next episode, where we’ll delve deeper into the world of jade authentication.