Camel-Shaped Jade Paper-Weight from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
The camel-shaped paper-weight is made from the gray and white jade of Hetian, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Due to its high quality, it feels heavy and smooth in the hand. Featuring a small head and fat body, the camel is lying down with its ears erect and eyes looking straight ahead. Some lines are carved around the hump making its muscle tone more vivid. The jade animals of Ming Dynasty evolved from the animal-shaped jade wares of Han Dynasty; their styles are realistic or imitating antiques. This jade paper-weight, as a stationery treasure of Chinese study, is a blend between the two styles.
Dragon and Cloud Shaped Jade Ornament From Ming Dynasty
This jade ware is made from white jade found in Hetian, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Its smooth texture has grease-like luster and it portrays a dragon raising playing with a ball with one of its claws while another claw is hiding in the clouds. The skill of hollow cutting used in the jade ware gives it a bold style.
The Chinese civilian jade exhibition has been held twice before. This time the exhibition paid more attention to the choice of jade carvings in order to showcase the charm of jade wares collected by civilian collectors.
By Feng Hui
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