Jade, a cultural totem of the Chinese nation, boasts a history so long and an essence so profound that it is truly awe-inspiring. However, when we discuss modern and contemporary jade culture, we often find that it is not an unchanging ancient symbol, but a living heritage that has continuously evolved and been reborn amidst the currents of time. As a cultural heritage protector, I deeply understand that chronicling this history is not only a respect for the past but also an inspiration for the future.
In the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican era, China underwent drastic social changes, and jade culture also experienced the pain of falling from its peak to being reborn from the ashes. At that time, jade artifacts still bore strong traces of imperial style, with intricate carvings and auspicious meanings evident everywhere. However, with the collapse of the imperial system, the former imperial jade workshops lost their patronage, and a large number of imperial jade craftsmen dispersed into the private sector. This, in a way, promoted the spread and popularization of jade carving techniques. For example, Beijing's "Four Great Jade Workshops"—Deyuanxing, Baohua Yuzhuang, Juxing Yuqi, and Wanbaozhai—were representatives of the rise of folk jade carving during this period. They inherited the essence of imperial jade carving and, combined with market demand, created more life-oriented jade artifacts such as jade pendants, jade bracelets, and jade cigarette holders, allowing jade to gradually enter ordinary households and laying the foundation for the popularization of jade culture.
During the Anti-Japanese War and the Civil War, society was turbulent, and jade production once fell into a slump. Many jade carvers were forced to change professions, and precious jade materials and tools were lost. However, even in the most difficult years, the flame of jade carving techniques continued to burn tenaciously among the people. Some artisans risked their lives to secretly preserve ancestral jade carving tools and blueprints, waiting for spring to arrive. This is a testament to the resilience of our national culture and a deep reason why jade culture has been able to endure.
After the founding of New China, jade culture ushered in new development opportunities. The state attached great importance to the protection and inheritance of traditional crafts, establishing many arts and crafts cooperatives and factories, organizing dispersed jade carvers, and resuming production. In the 1950s, Beijing Jade Factory, Shanghai Jade Carving Factory, and others were successively established, gathering top jade carving masters from across the country, such as Pan Bingheng of the Northern School and Wang Shusen of the Southern School. They not only inherited traditional techniques but also incorporated the spirit of the new era into their creations, producing many jade carving works reflecting the achievements of socialist construction and praising working people. For example, Master Pan Bingheng's "Magnificent View of Mount Tai" and Master Wang Shusen's "Immortals Celebrating Longevity" are masterpieces of this period, showing innovation in themes, composition, and carving techniques, demonstrating the vigorous vitality of jade carving art.
After the reform and opening up, with the economic boom and the improvement of people's living standards, jade culture entered an unprecedented period of prosperity. The introduction of a market economy shifted jade consumption from state-led to market-led, making jade varieties richer and designs more diverse. The influx of high-quality jade materials such as Xinjiang Hetian jade and Burmese jade also provided a material basis for the innovation of jade carving art. At the same time, the impact of Western aesthetic concepts prompted some jade carvers to try to integrate modern art elements into traditional jade carving, forming a unique modern jade carving style. For example, some young jade artists, while retaining traditional auspicious meanings, use abstract and freehand techniques to create jade carving works that are more in line with modern aesthetics, making jade no longer just a symbol of wealth, but also a fashionable work of art.
Entering the 21st century, the waves of the internet and globalization have brought new challenges and opportunities for the dissemination and development of jade culture. On the one hand, the rise of e-commerce platforms has made jade trading more convenient and transparent, allowing more people to access and understand jade culture. On the other hand, the return of cultural confidence has led to an unprecedented enthusiasm among young people for traditional culture, and they have begun to re-examine the cultural value and artistic charm of jade. Many jade carving studios and cultural and creative brands have emerged, and they are using cross-border cooperation, IP development, and other methods to bring jade culture to the public in a younger and more fashionable way. For example, combining jade with modern jewelry design, or applying jade carving techniques to home decoration and cultural and creative gifts, have achieved good market response.
As a cultural heritage protector, I deeply feel that the development process of modern and contemporary jade culture is an epic full of resilience and innovation. It tells us that culture is not a rigid antique, but only by continuously adapting to the times and absorbing new elements can it radiate lasting vitality. Protecting jade culture is not only about protecting those exquisite jade artifacts, but also about protecting the national spirit, aesthetic taste, and humanistic sentiments carried behind them. We should encourage innovation in jade carving art and support the growth of young jade carvers, so that jade, this treasure of the Chinese nation, can continue to shine with its unique light in the new era, becoming a cultural bridge connecting past and future, tradition and modernity.