Since ancient times, jade has been the spiritual vessel of Chinese civilization, and among this dazzling family of jades, Dushan jade holds a pivotal position with its unique charm and profound historical heritage. As a collector who has been immersed in ancient jade for decades, whenever I caress a warm piece of Dushan jade, I feel as if I can travel through time, listening to it tell those long-sealed stories of emperors and folk legends.
Named after Dushan Mountain in Nanyang City, Henan Province, Dushan jade is also known as 'Nanyang Jade' or 'Duyu'. It is one of China's four famous jades, alongside Xinjiang Hetian jade, Liaoning Xiuyan jade, and Shaanxi Lantian jade. However, the uniqueness of Dushan jade goes far beyond this. Its colors are vibrant, encompassing green, white, yellow, purple, red, black, and many other hues, often presenting a spectacular interplay of multiple colors within a single piece of jade. This makes every piece of Dushan jade a masterpiece of nature's craftsmanship, truly unique. This characteristic of multi-color coexistence is extremely rare in other jade types and is one of the important reasons why Dushan jade is hailed as the 'Emperor's Jade'.
Tracing the history of Dushan jade, its lineage extends back at least eight millennia. Archaeological discoveries serve as the best evidence. In the Peiligang culture site in Xinzheng, Henan, dating back approximately 7000-8000 years, jade axes, jade shovels, and other artifacts made of Dushan jade have been unearthed. This indicates that as early as the Neolithic Age, Dushan jade was already recognized and utilized by our ancestors. During the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, Dushan jade became an important ritual object for royalty and nobility to display their status and worship heaven and earth. Many exquisite jade artifacts unearthed from the famous Fu Hao's tomb at Yinxu in Anyang have been identified as Dushan jade. These jade artifacts not only boast superb craftsmanship and elegant shapes but also carry the reverence of the people of that era for heaven and earth deities and their yearning for a better life. Imagine the kings and nobles three thousand years ago holding ritual objects made of Dushan jade, praying in solemn ceremonies; that profound and sacred feeling still captivates us today.
The glory of Dushan jade did not stop there. During the Qin and Han dynasties, the mining and utilization of Dushan jade reached a new peak. Legend has it that after Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the six states, he ordered craftsmen to carve the Imperial Seal of China from Dushan jade. Although this claim is still unconfirmed, it sufficiently illustrates the status of Dushan jade in people's minds at that time. In the Han Dynasty, Dushan jade was widely used to make decorative items such as jade bi, jade pendants, and jade belt hooks, as well as funerary objects like jade pillows and jade coffins. Among them, the Dushan jade artifacts unearthed from Han tombs in Nanyang are astonishing in their quantity and exquisite craftsmanship. These jade artifacts not only showcase the superb jade carving skills of the Han Dynasty but also reflect the society's worship of jade and pursuit of eternal life at that time.
By the Ming and Qing dynasties, the mining and processing techniques of Dushan jade had reached a pinnacle of perfection. Many imperial jade articles featured Dushan jade. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty had a special fondness for jade, and under his patronage, jade carving art reached its zenith. Dushan jade, with its unique colors and textures, provided vast creative space for jade carving masters. Those ingenious Dushan jade carvings, whether depicting landscapes, figures, or flowers, birds, and insects, were lifelike and full of artistic vitality.
The cultural significance of Dushan jade far exceeds its value as a mineral. It embodies the Chinese nation's pursuit of beauty, reverence for virtue, and yearning for eternity. The ancients compared jade to a gentleman, believing that jade possesses the five virtues of 'benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, and purity'. The vibrant colors of Dushan jade are like the richness of life; its toughness symbolizes the noble character of a gentleman. It is not merely an ornament but a spiritual sustenance and a cultural symbol.
In modern times, the mining and processing technology of Dushan jade continues to advance, but its cultural connotation remains consistent. Nanyang, as the hometown of Dushan jade, has seen its jade culture industry flourish. Dushan jade carving techniques have been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage, and generations of outstanding jade carving masters have passed on the artistic life of Dushan jade. Today, we can not only admire ancient Dushan jade artifacts in museums but also experience the contemporary charm of Dushan jade in modern jade carving works. From exquisite ornaments to fashionable accessories, Dushan jade, in its unique form, integrates into modern life, continuing to write its legend.
Looking back, Dushan jade is not just a stone; it is a witness to history and a conveyor of culture. With its unique colors and spirit, it tells the glorious and profound story of eight millennia of Chinese civilization. As an ancient jade collector, I deeply understand that every piece of Dushan jade contains endless stories and wisdom, worthy of our appreciation, collection, and inheritance.