Deep within the Forbidden City, beside the imperial desk in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Emperor Qianlong, who proudly called himself the 'Old Man of Ten Perfect Victories,' often found himself admiring and playing with exquisite jade artifacts, in addition to reviewing memorials. His entire life was inextricably linked with jade. He was not merely an ardent enthusiast of jade culture but also a driving force behind jade craftsmanship and connoisseurship, elevating Qing Dynasty jade art to unprecedented heights. His story is one of the most brilliant chapters in the long river of Chinese jade culture.
Emperor Qianlong's obsession with jade was not without foundation. Since ancient times, jade in Chinese culture has embodied the profound meaning of 'a gentleman's virtue is comparable to jade.' Confucius once said, 'A gentleman never parts with jade without reason,' equating jade's warmth, resilience, purity, and ability to conceal flaws with the qualities of a gentleman. As an emperor, Qianlong regarded jade as an important vehicle for governance, self-cultivation, and moral development. He not only collected a vast number of jade artifacts from previous dynasties but also personally participated in the design, production, and appraisal of jade. Historical records indicate that Emperor Qianlong composed nearly a thousand poems about jade throughout his life, many of which meticulously describe the forms, patterns, and craftsmanship of jade, demonstrating his deep research and unique insights into jade.
His jade affinity began with tracing and authenticating ancient jade. Emperor Qianlong had a particular fondness for ritual jades from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, such as gui, bi, and cong, considering them 'important national treasures and symbols of ritual.' He commissioned artisans to reproduce or rework ancient jades and personally wrote scholarly articles, such as those in 'Xiqing Gujian' (Catalogue of Ancient Bronzes), which contain numerous evaluations of ancient jades by Qianlong. This reverence for ancient jade not only reflected his inheritance of traditional culture but also infused Qing Dynasty jade with a retro aesthetic. For instance, the 'Celadon Jade Three Rams Bringing Prosperity' brush pot, now housed in the Palace Museum, with its antique form and elegant patterns, is a masterpiece of Qianlong-era imitation ancient jade, symbolizing auspiciousness and highly favored by the emperor.
However, Emperor Qianlong's contributions to jade extended far beyond this. He was not only a connoisseur of ancient jade but also a staunch patron of Hetian jade from Xinjiang. After the Qing dynasty pacified the Dzungar Khanate, Hetian jade materials from Xinjiang continuously flowed into the capital, providing ample raw materials for Qing imperial jade production. Emperor Qianlong keenly seized this opportunity, establishing a massive 'Zaobanchu Jade Workshop' (Imperial Workshop Jade Department), gathering skilled artisans from across the country to exclusively produce jade for the imperial family. He even issued imperial decrees, setting strict requirements for the mining, transportation, and carving of jade materials, striving for every jade artifact to achieve the ultimate 'exquisite, delicate, ingenious, and elegant' standard. The famous 'Jade Mountain Illustrating the Story of Yu the Great Taming the Floods' is a prime example, carved during the Qianlong period by thousands of artisans over several years. Its colossal scale and exquisite craftsmanship are considered a miracle in jade carving history, still displayed in the Palace Museum, showcasing the glory of the Qianlong prosperous era.
Under Emperor Qianlong's impetus, Qing Dynasty jade developed a unique style. It inherited the essence of Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasty jades while incorporating the aesthetic tastes of the Qing court, pursuing regular forms, intricate patterns, and superb craftsmanship. At the same time, Emperor Qianlong also emphasized the cultural connotations of jade, integrating poetry, calligraphy, painting, and historical allusions into jade carvings, making each jade artifact an artwork carrying cultural information. For example, many jade pieces are inscribed with Qianlong's imperial poems, which not only added artistic value but also demonstrated the emperor's cultural refinement.
Even today, as we gaze upon the surviving Qing imperial jade artifacts, we can almost feel Emperor Qianlong's timeless love affair with jade. They are not merely exquisite crafts but also tangible symbols of the Chinese nation's yearning for noble virtues and a harmonious society. Qianlong's obsession with and promotion of jade brought jade culture to a new peak in the Qing dynasty, leaving behind a valuable cultural legacy for future generations. Today, jade remains an indispensable part of Chinese culture, continuing to nourish our spiritual world with its unique charm and transmitting the aesthetic tastes and moral concepts of the Chinese nation. From the emperor's desk ornaments to the common people's adornments, the warm luster of jade has consistently illuminated the long years of Chinese civilization.