Having been involved with jade for half my life, I have seen countless beautiful jades, yet Dushan Jade from Nanyang has always held a special place in my heart. It is not as warm and subtle as Hetian mutton-fat jade, nor as vibrant and emerald as jadeite. Dushan Jade possesses its own unique charm—a splendid and profound quality that gathers the essence of heaven and earth, and embodies the vicissitudes of history. Whenever I touch a piece of Dushan Jade, I feel as if I can sense its gestation deep within the Earth's crust billions of years ago, and the profound gaze of Chinese civilization upon it for thousands of years.
Dushan Jade, named after Dushan Mountain in Nanyang City, Henan Province, is one of China's four famous jades. Its mining history is so ancient that it can be traced back to the Neolithic Age. Among the more than 700 jade artifacts unearthed from the Tomb of Fu Hao in Yinxu, Anyang, Henan, a significant portion has been identified as Dushan Jade. This undoubtedly serves as strong evidence for Dushan Jade's status as the 'First Jade of China.' Imagine, a queen of the Shang Dynasty over three millennia ago, holding ritual objects or ornaments carved from Dushan Jade; that solemnity and grandeur, transcending time, still captivate the imagination. Even more astonishingly, in the Huangshan site, dating back approximately 7,000 years, jade spades and jade huang made of Dushan Jade were also discovered. This indicates that the mining and use of Dushan Jade were far more ancient than we imagined, shining brightly even during the nascent stages of Chinese civilization.
Dushan Jade has a complex mineral composition, primarily consisting of plagioclase, zoisite, epidote, and other minerals, which gives it a rich and varied palette of colors. Red, green, yellow, purple, white, black, and even multiple colors interwoven within a single stone create a unique 'qiaose' (skillful use of natural colors) effect. This natural color combination provides infinite creative space for jade carving artists. Dushan Jade also has a relatively high hardness, with a Mohs hardness of 6-6.5, and its texture is fine and tough, suitable for intricate carving. I once saw a Qing Dynasty Dushan Jade carving titled 'Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl,' on which nine coiled dragons were depicted in various poses, with each scale distinct and every whisker visible. The vibrant pearl, in particular, showcased the warmth and luster of Dushan Jade to its fullest. This was not merely a work of art but a crystallization of the dialogue between the craftsman and the jade, a materialization of the Chinese nation's belief in the dragon totem.
The cultural significance of Dushan Jade extends far beyond its material properties. In ancient times, jade was regarded as a medium for communicating with heaven and connecting with deities, a symbol of ritual, power, and status. As an important early jade material, Dushan Jade undoubtedly played a crucial role in the belief system of the Chinese nation. From ritual objects in the Neolithic Age to royal treasures in the Shang and Zhou dynasties, and to auspicious beasts for warding off evil in the Han Dynasty, Dushan Jade has consistently carried people's aspirations for a better life and their reverence for nature. It has witnessed the journey of the Chinese nation from ignorance to civilization, recording the ancestors' reflections on the universe, life, and ethics. Every piece of Dushan Jade is like a solidified page of history, telling ancient stories.
In modern times, with the advancement of technology and the diversification of aesthetic concepts, the value of Dushan Jade has been re-evaluated. It is no longer exclusive to emperors and generals but has entered ordinary households. Nanyang Dushan Jade carving, as a national intangible cultural heritage, has never ceased its inheritance and innovation. The younger generation of jade carvers, while inheriting traditional essence, incorporates modern design concepts to create Dushan Jade works that possess both classical charm and contemporary flair. For example, they utilize the qiaose of Dushan Jade to its extreme, carving lifelike flowers, birds, fish, and insects, or abstract modern art pieces. These works not only showcase the natural beauty of Dushan Jade but also reflect the continuous creativity of Chinese culture.
In my opinion, Dushan Jade is not merely a mineral; it is the crystallization of the Chinese nation's diligence and wisdom, and a testament to the long-standing Chinese culture. With its unique vibrant colors and profound historical heritage, it stands out in the world of jade culture. Every encounter with Dushan Jade is a dialogue with history and an exploration of beauty. It reminds us that in the bustling modern society, there still exists such an ancient and pure beauty that is worth cherishing, inheriting, and promoting.