Many Ming period jades follow this trend. Rounded muscular forms replace the sleeker animal bodies generally favored in the preceeding Song, though skeletal protrusion still is found. Elephants are very much in evidence during the Ming, and jade with color is normally encountered.

As the Ming felt strongly that the spirit should have a pleasant environment in the tomb, many small ponds were incorporated so that the spirit would have a peaceful and restful surrounding. But water for those ponds would evaporate quickly, so the Ming discovered that this was solved as far back as the Han period by using elemental mercury as the liquid. Being a "silvery water that never left the tomb" seemed to incorporate a bit of magic to the scene - especially when they knew that mercury was the source of red cinnabar, their tomb "happiness" additive.

But mercury is easily absorbed into the porous nephrite jade, turning it a dark brownish black! So when the jades are excavated and cleaned, this blackish mercury alteration is not washed out because it has bonded itself into the chemical structure of the jade...just another of the unique minutae of the jade experience. The black color change in these (usually) Han and Ming jades is highly desirable and eagerly collected by most jade scholars.

As the Ming was an active artistic period, jade workshops were opened in many cities. Over the centuries, many regional styles developed...which trend continued into the Qing. Identifying each of those individual styles is the ongoing task of several students of jade history in China and without. We hope to connect with many of these people in the years to come to expand appreciation of the knowledge they have gained.

But for now, just understand that all jades from the Ming do not look alike, anymore than all ceramic jars from the Ming look alike. The fact that some museums choose only a limited style or type of jades to exhibit from any period is only an indication of their limited vision and narrow snobbery (of only showing what they think is "the best") rather than a true sampling of what was created in that era.

To see a close-up picture of any item, click on the picture of the item.

AMJ1001 - Tao' t'ieh Mask Amulet

Two-sided carving of a Tiger face (Tao' t'ieh mask). This finely crafted amulet is of the type generally adopted by the Chinese military as their symbol of protection and (specifically safe return from battle or their posting in a far off region. This classic rounded Ming form is well-carved and finely smoothed, 1 1/2 inches wide, 1/2 inch thick and in perfect condition. The coloring is a celadon green with dark brown to black absorption of mercury in the tomb. PRICE: $425.00

AMJ1002 - Large Rondel With Buffalo/Bull

A large rondel carving of a water buffalo / bull face design at bottom, surmounted by a pair of hermaphroditic dragon / phoenix mythological creatures. The buffalo is fully carved on both sides of the plaque and sports a prominent nose and full set of curved horns. The dragon / phoenix animals above have similar bodies but different heads and are fully modeled in the front but flat on the reverse. They are circled by a grooved band that serves to nicely frame their reticulated profiles. Below the bulls head is a through-hole to suspend another amulet. The rear of the dragons show traces of the original "sawing of the jade block". Some mercury incursion at the side defines this as a tomb piece. An important, impressive, and well-carved / well-smoothed Ming jade that incorporates numerous classic elements of culture with instructive and essential collector elements for today. 2 9/16 inches at it's greatest diameter. 5/16 inches thick. The coloring is a celadon green with dark brown to black absorption of mercury. PRICE: $950.00