【Introduction】

   Anhui, located in the belly of Huandong and crossed by the Yangtze and Huai River, has a long and rich cultural history and a wealth of archeological material. During the Neolithic and later ages, cultural exchange from north to south and south to north waxed and waned, time passed, dynasties transpired, history evolved, and civilization flourished in the large riverine basins of Yangtze and Huai Rivers, leaving posterity with rich deposits of cultural relics. One of Anhui’s major cultural beauties is the large bogy of jades excavated over the last several decades, rich in subject matter and varied in form.

The earliest jades currently known from Anhui are arc-shared pendant (huang), unearthed at Shisanzi in Suixi and at Houjiazhai in Dingyuan, and date to approximately 5,000 BCE. The second earliest jades, also huang in addition to slit rings, simple in shape and types, come from Huangshanzui in Susong, and date to approximately 4000-3500BC. Jades of numerous types representative phase of Neolithic jade-working in Anhui. Four cultural phase define jades from this era.

Xuejiagang, the well-known culture and site located in Qianshan County, was excavated from 1978-4980. One-hundred and sixty-six jades were unearthed, including spades, rings(huan), huang, tubes, beads ,tube(cong) and ornaments. Jade shapes are formalized, entirely worked and often characterized by open-work motifs, as well as sculptural forms, and these are usually pierced from one side but sometimes from both sides, with eyes holes small and refined, like an eye of a needle.
Site remains at Lingjiatan in Hanshan date to 3500-3000BC, equivalent to the Hongshan Culture and earlier than the Liangzhu culture. Four seasons of excavation lasting from 1987 to 2001 uncovered over 1000 individual jades of three types: ornamental, tool, and weapon ones. Some are decorated with lively imagery. The jade in quality is warm and translucent and working techniques are refined.
Rmains of middle and late period Dawenkou Culture sites are known at Jinzhai in Xiaoxian. In 1986, while locals were tilling fields 134 jades were discovered. All of these jades are finely worked at a fairly high level of expertise. A few of the latter jades show Liangzhu Culture influences.

Outside of the above three cultural types are several other Neolithic culture remains, from Jianghuai and southern Anhui areas with jades of Songze and Liangzhu Cultures.
The few Shang period jades discovered in Anhui include a jade perforated axe and huang, found in 1987.
In 1955, a batch of Spring and Autumn period jades were unearthed from a tomb in Shouxian, belongs to Marquis Zhao of Cai.
During the Warring States period, Anhui was the administrative center of the state Chu. During the late Warring Stage period the Chu capital was moved to Shouchun, thereafter becoming the administrative, economic and cultural center of Chu. Techniques of jades of Warring State period comprise openwork, deep carving and shallow relief in a richly varied textural display.
In 1954, a dark green jade figurine of a human, defined through a simple intaglio hooked line, was discovered in Shouxian and reflects a Qin style jade-working.

Western Han period jades are richly represented in Anhui excavations. The animal face and cloud decorated jade sword guard, pommel and hilt excavated in 1996 from the coffin and chamber bomb at Simenkou, Maanshan are also of exquisite workmanship and carved out of highest quality white jade. The latter are quintessential Han style art.

Eastern Han period jades are also numerous in excavated contexts. Six Dynasties through Tang period jades have also been discovered. In 1986, a six Dynasties jade cicada and nose plug in Eastern Han style were unearthed from Jianshantu in Jiagou Township, Suzhou Municipality. Although few jades have been recovered from Song and Yuan period tombs and Yuan period tombs in Anhui, those that do survive are high in quality, beauty and workmanship, and serve as excellent scientific data for research on and authentication of jades from these eras.
Ming Dynasty jades unearthed from Anhui have had a major impact on the entire country.
Qing Dynasty jades have been unearthed from various places, including Huangshan, Wangjiang, Fanchang, Lingbi, Xiuning, Qingyang and Anqing. Subject matter includes auspicious symbols and animals, in addition to imitations of antiquities.

In summary, jades unearthed from Anhui cover many dynasties and periods, are numerous in number and type, and are richly varied .The value of Anhui jades in the large scheme of China is in providing a data base of archaeologically excavated jades that may be used for research and in authentication.

【Main Contents】


Contents

Jades Unearthed from the Area of Anhui
Chronology
1. Pendant in the shape of a Dragon
2. Turtle
3. Rectangular Plaque with Incised Pattern
4. Pendant in the Shape of an Eagle
5. Triangular Plaque
6. Ornament in the Shape a Crest
7. Pendant in the Shape of a Human
8. Pendant in the Shape of a human
9. Pendant in the Shape of a Human head
10. Axe (yue)
11. Axe (yue)
12. Axe
13. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
14. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang) with Tiger Head Decoration
15. Pendant with Tiger Head Decoration
16. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang) with Toothed Edge
17. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
18. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang) with Toothed Edge
19. Arc-shaped pendant (huang)
20. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
21. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
22. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
23. Bracelet
24. Tube-shaped Ornament
25. Ring with Toothed Edge
26. Ring
27. Ring
28. Ring with Three Perforations
29. Two Connected Rings
30. Disc(bi)
31. Disc(bi) with Six Perforations
32. Disc (bi)
33. Slit Ring (jue)
34. Slit Ring (jue)
35. Flared Ornament
36. Spoon
37. Ornament in the Shape of a Rabbit
38. Pendant in the Shape of a Pig
39. Ring with a Handle
40. Tube
41. String of Tubular Beads
42. Tube (cong)
43. Axe (yue)
44. Pendant
45. Pendant
46. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)]
47. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
48. Ring
49. Ring
50. Spindle Whorl
51. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang) with toothed Edge
52. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
53. Disc (bi)
54. Pendant in the Shape of an Awl
55. String of Plaques
56. Blade
57. Pendant in the Shape of Awl
58. Pendant in the Shape of an Awl
59. Bracelet
60. Two Connected Discs
61. Axe (yue)
62. Two pendants with Animal Mask Decoration
63. Tube (cong)
64. Pendant in the Shape of a Human Head
65. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
66. Bracelet
67. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
68. Tube (cong)
69. Tablet (gui)
70. Ornament in the Shape of a Rabbit
71. Two Arc-shaped Pendants (huang)
72. Ornament
73. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
74. pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
75. Pair of Pendants in the Shape of Silkworms
76. Five Ornaments
77. Pair of Slit Rings (jue)
78. Pair of Pendants in the Shape of Dragons
79. Arc-shaped Pendant (heng)
80. Pair of Soles
81. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
82. Disc (bi)
83. Disc (bi)
84. Pendant in the shape of a Dragon and a Phoenix
85. Pendant in the Shape of Dragons and Phoenixes
86. Disc (bi)
87. Tube
88. Pendant (huang) in the Shape of Two Arched Dragons
89. Arc-shaped Pendant (heng)
90. Pointed Pendant (xi) in the Shape of a Dragon
91. Arc-shaped Pendant (heng)
92. Pendant
93. Tube with Dragon and Phoenix Decoration
94. Pendant in the shape of a Dragon
95. Pendant in the Shape of Dragons and Phoenixes
96. Arc-Shaped Pendant (heng)
97. Ring with Plaited Cord Decoration
98. Ring
99. Pair of Slit Rings (jue)
100. Figurine
101. Vessel (zhi)
102. Vessel (zhi)
103. Ring with Feline Dragon Decoration
104. Container
105. Handle in the Shape of a Beast Head
106. Belt Hook
107. Arc-shaped Pendant (heng)
108. Arc-shaped Pendant (heng)
109. Pair of Cowries
110. Jade Inlaid Lacquered Pot
111. Jade Inlaid Bronze Incense-burner
112. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon and a Phoenix
113. Pendant in the Shape of a Phoenix
114. Pendant in the Shape of a Phoenix
115. Belt Hook
116. Pointed Pendant (xi)
117. Pendant
118. Belt Hook
119. Pointed Pendant (xi)
120. Scabbard Slide
121. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
122. Pendant in the Shape of a Heart
123. Three Ornaments
124. Pair of Dancers
125. Ornament
126. Pendant in the Shape of a Dragon
127. Arc-shaped Pendant (heng)
128. Arc-shaped Pendant (heng)
129. Ring in the Shape of a Dragon
130. Belt Hook
131. Arc0shaped Pendant (huang)
132. Seal
133. Set of Plugs
134. Ring
135. Notched Ring
136. Disc (bi)
137. Disc (bi)
138. Cup Resting on a Bronze Stand
139. Pendant in the Shape of a Human
140. Dancers
141. Dancer
142. Scabbard Chape
143. Disc (bi)
144. Cicada
145. Ring
146. Scabbard slide
147. Pendant in the Shape of a dragon
148. Ornament
149. Ornament
150. Scabbard Slide
151. Sword Guard
152. Silver Threaded Jade Shroud
153. Pig
154. Pair of Amulets (gangmao)
155. pendant in the Shape of a Sinan
156. Pendant in the Shape of a Heart
157. Two Figurines
158. Pendant
159. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
160. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
161. Belt Hook
162. Pig
163. Agate Globular Ornament with Gold Decoration
164. Ornament in the Shape of a Beast
165. Arc-shaped Pendant (huang)
166. Cup
167. ornament in the Shape of a Rabbit
168. Belt Plaque
169. Belt Plaque
170. Bowl with a Gold Rim
171. Six Beads
172. Ewer (yi)
173. Cup
174. Cup
175. Vessel (you)
176. Hairpins
177. Set of Belt Plaques
178. Two Beads
179. Pair of Rabbits
180. Pendant in the Shape of a Fish
181. Vessel (you)
182. Two Ornaments in the Shape of Peaches
183. Pair of Rings with Plaited Cord Decoration
184. Ornament in the Shape of a Heart
185. Tablet with Name of the Deceased
186. Two Pendants in the Shape of Boy Holding Lotus Leaf
187. Pair of Hairpin Finials
188. Pair of Hairpin Finials
189. Vessel (zhi) with Cicada Decoration
190. Set of Pendants
191. Set of Belt Plaques
192. Set of Belt Plaques
193. Scepter (gui)
194. Set of Belt Plaques
195. Sets of Pendants
196. Pendant in the Shape of a Lock
197. Pendant in the Shape of a Cicada
198. Hairpin
199. Cup
200. Belt Hook
201. Belt Hook
202. Carving with Deers Motif
203. Cup in the Shape of a Peach
204. Ewer
205. Ewer
206. Vessel (gu)
207. Basket
208. Thumb Ring
209. Hairpin
210. Scepter (ruyi)
211. scepter (ruyi)
212. Pendant in the Shape of a Boy
213. Cons with Gold Rims
214. Recumbent Buffalo
215. Belt Hook
216. Belt Hook
217. Plaque in the Shape of a Chinese Character “寿”
218. String of Beads
219. Coin
220. Belt Hook
221. Pendant with a Rotatable Core
222. Cat
223. Pair of Bracelets
224. Bowl
225. Pendant in the Shape of a Phoenix
226. Pendant
227. Beast
228. Disc (bi)
229. Ornament
230. Ornament
231. Clasp
232. Pendant
233. Pendant in the Shape of Bean Shells
234. Brush Washer
235. Fairy Holding a Peach
236. Disc (bi)
237. Disc (bi)
238. Avalokitesvara
239. Ornament in the Shape of a Lion
240. Pendant in the Shape of a Tiger Head