The 75 archaic small-scale Chinese jade carvings on view are nothing less than sculptures, works of art remarkable not just for their extraordinary workmanship but also because they embody the vast and complex field of Chinese cosmology and mythology.

NEW YORK, NY.- Throckmorton Fine Art is presenting an important exhibition of ancient Chinese jade created during the first high age in their development, from CA 475 BCE during the Warring States era, to 220 CE, the 2nd century BC, under the Early Han Dynasty, from March 5th to April 4th at its East 57th Street gallery in New York. 

Chinese jade scholars Dr. Elizabeth Childs-Johnson and Gu Fang have each contributed to the preparation of a detailed brochure and descriptions for “The Beauty of Jade during the Warring States Period and Han Dynasty” show, which includes more than 73 pieces on view. Dr. Childs-Johnson will give a talk on the subject on Saturday, March 14th at 3pm at the gallery. 

Dr. Elizabeth Childs-Johnson has curated many shows of ancient Chinese art at Throckmorton for more than a decade, and has collaborated with Gu Fang on numerous catalogues including “Chinese Jade Types of the Shang and Western Zhou Periods.” 

According to Spencer Throckmorton, “The artistic explosion that took place during the Warring States and Han periods is now being re-examined as interest has soared in learning more about the art of working jade during the early years. It was then that social and economic upheaval led to cross-cultural stimulation and an interchange of artistic media that climaxed in new artistic themes and combinations of images.” 

As the eminent art historian Michael Sullivan stated, “[The] power to unite in one object the most intricate refinement of detail with a dynamic rhythm and boldness of silhouette defines jade art at this time in early Chinese history. The variations on the feline dragon dramatically express this refinement and combustible calligraphic style. The movement and form of the serpent are limitless: they may circle, change direction, intertwine, dance, surprise, bite their tail, spring, or leap yet never sleep. Refined detail is similarly wide in range, from rope and scale textures to erupting miniscule bas-relief cloud scrolls.” 

In his essay for the show catalogue, the renowned jade scholar Gu Fang says, “From the Warring States era to the early Han Dynasty (7th Century BC – 2nd Century BC), China experienced its first high age in the development of ancient jades. The scale and quality of jade production reached an unprecedented level. Thus, jade connoisseurs all take pride in beautiful pieces of Warring States to Han Dynasty jades in their collection.” 

Actually, the development of jade in China had come a long way from the Neolithic Age to the Han Dynasty. The beauty of the jades from the Warring States era to Han Dynasty, is not spontaneous, but a result of thousands of years of development. 

Among highlights in the Throckmorton exhibition is a Jade disc with grain design, aa dragon with a cloud design, a jade vessel or zun also with cloud design, an animal mask, a sword pommel with feline design, a tiger-shaped pendant, a tubular pendant, an agate belt ring and numerous jade pendants. 

Gu Fang says that the differences in wealth led to the varied quality and quantity of jade accessories, which were the most popular form, including a wide array of half rings for the head, usually worn on the ears. Jades hanging from the neck and waist were the most important accessories while people took the jade pendants hanging outside of clothes as the most beloved accessories, and saw them as symbols of longevity and luxurious gifts. Often jade pieces were matched together in elaborate “group sets,” Gu Fang says. 

Between the Warring States era to the Han Dynasty jade sets became more simplified with important elements comprised of bi, huang, huan, xi and chong connected with a ribbon often decorated with beads and tubes. 

Jade was a symbol of class and wealth as well as an expression of virtues. People paid the most attention to clothing accessories. Jade pendants were intricate in form and carving work and many distinctive shapes were seen from circular, horn-shaped and squared forms to “S” shaped or double “S’s.” Jade was carved into dragon shapes resembling a tiger, often in relief or open carving and positioned in a resting or climbing pose. They were used to decorate jade discs, swords and stamps. The ancient Chinese imagined the chi tiger to be able to cruise into the heavens, this when making the chi tiger patterns, clouds were often added to the background. 

The jades from the Warring States era to Han Dynasty were mostly decorated with complex patterns. These patterns are rich in styles and complexity. The depiction is highly abstract, which gives off what Gu Fang calls, a mysterious vibe. These patterns fall into two main categories, geometric and animal-form, with geometric patterns being the dominant one.

Spencer Throckmorton says “This exhibition of early Chinese Jade will be a joy for both scholars and collectors and will cast a spotlight on the early development of this art form."

China. A Rare Two-Sided Dragon Pendant, Qin-Han Dynasties, 221 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. H: 1 3/4 in. W: 3 3/4 in. Th: 3/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art

China. Scabbard Chape with Relief Dragons, Han Dynasty, 206 BCE- 220 CE. Light green jade with some brown. H: 1 3/4 in. W: 3 in. Th: 7/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art

China. Human Riding a Beast, Warring States Period,475-221 BCE. Jade.H: 2 1/2 in. W: 1 in. D: 2 1/4 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art

China. An Open-Work Plaque with Three Feline Dragons, Warring States Period, 475-221 BCE. Jade. H: 1 3/4 in. W: 3 1/4 in. Th: 1/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art

China. Bi Disc with Incised Scroll Pattern, Warring States Period, 475-221 BCE. Jade. Dia: 6 7/8 in. Th: 1/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art

China. Dragon Plaque Pendant, Warring States Period, 475-221 BCE. Jade. H: 3 in. W: 6 5/8 in. Th: 1/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art

China, Bi Disc with Incised Scroll Pattern, Warring States Period-Han Dynasty, 475 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. Dia: 2 1/8 in. Th: 3/16 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art

China, Bi disc with Incised Scroll Pattern, Warring States Period-Han Dynasty, 475 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. Dia: 2 7/8 in. Th: 1/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art

China, Double Dragon Plaque, Warring States Period-Han Dynasty, 475 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. H: 2 1/2 in. W: 5 in. Th: 3/16 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art

China, Bi disc with Incised Scroll Pattern, Warring States Period-Han Dynasty, 475 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. Dia: 3 1/4 in. Th: 1/4 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China. Dragon Plaque Pendant, Warring States Period, 475-221 BCE. Jade. H: 2 3/4 in. W: 5 3/4 in. Th: 1/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Acrobatic Dragon Ornament, Warring States Period-Qin-Han Dynasties, 475 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. H: 2 in. W: 3 3/4 in. Th: 1/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Pendant of a Double Ring Feline Dragon, Warring States Period, 475-221 BCE. Jade. Dia: 2 3/4 in. Th: 2/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Bi Disc-Ring with Wound Rope Pattern, Spring and Autumn-Warring States Period, 770 - 221 BCE. Jade. Dia: 3 7/8 in. Th: 1/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Bi Disc-Ring with Wound Rope Pattern, Spring and Autumn-Warring States Period, 770 - 221 BCE. Jade. Dia: 2 5/8 in. Th: 3/16 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Bi Disc-Ring with Wound Rope Pattern, Spring and Autumn-Warring States Period, 770 - 221 BCE. Jade. Dia: 2 2/8 in. Th: 3/16 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Bi Disc-Ring with Wound Rope Pattern, Spring and Autumn-Warring States Period, 770 - 221 BCE. Jade. Dia: 2 in. Th: 1/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Humped Dragon Plaque Pendant, Warring States Period, 475-221 BCE. Jade. H: 3 1/8 in. W: 4 5/8 in. Th: 5/16 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Dragon Plaque Pendant with Bird Tail, Warring States Period, 475-221 BCE. Jade. H: 6 in. W: 3 1/2 in. Th: 1/4 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Plaque Ornament of a Feline Dragon, Han Dynasty, 206 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. H: 4 1/8 in. W: 2 1/8 in. Th: 3/16 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Two-Sided Bi Disc-Ring with Incisded Scroll Pattern and Relief Dragon, Han Dynasty, 206 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. Dia: 2 in. Th:1/4 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Pair of Pigs, Qin-Han Dynasties, 221 BCE-220 CE, Jade. H: 1 1/8 in. W: 1 1/16 in. L: 4 1/2 in. each. 

China, Pair of Pigs, Qin-Han Dynasties, 221 BCE-220 CE, Jade. H: 1 1/8 in. W: 1 1/16 in. L: 4 1/2 in. each. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Pair of Pigs, Qin-Han Dynasties, 221 BCE-220 CE, Jade. H: 1 in. W: 1 1/16 in. L: 4 1/2 in. each. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Strutting Bixie, Han Dynasty, 206 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. H: 1 1/4 in. W: 3/4 in. D: 2 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Pig, Qin-Han Dynasty, 221 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. H: 1 in. W: 1 1/16 in. L: 4 1/2 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Pig, Qin-Han Dynasty, 221 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. H: 1 1/8 in. W: 1 in. L: 4 1/4 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Huang-Shaped Pendant, Warring States Period-Han Dynasty, 475 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. H: 2 3/4 in. W: 9 1/2 in. Th: 3/16 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Dragon Plaque Pendant, Warring States Period, 475-221 BCE. Jade. H: 5 1/4 in. W: 2 in. Th: 1/4 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Huang-Shaped Plaque Pendant with Two Feline Dragon, Han Dynasty, 206 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. H: 1 1/2 in. W: 3 1/2 in. Th: 1/4 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Ring, Warring States Period, 475 BCE - 221 CE. Agate. Dia: 4 1/2 in. Th: 2/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Ring, Warring States Period, 475 BCE - 221 CE. Agate. Dia: 2 1/2 in. Th: 1/4 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Ring, Warring States Period, 475 BCE - 221 CE. Agate. Dia: 3 1/4 in. Th: 4/16 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Ring, Warring States Period, 475 BCE - 221 CE. Agate. Dia: 3 in. Th: 2/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Ring, Warring States Period, 475 BCE - 221 CE. Agate. Dia: 4 1/2 in. Th: 3/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Double Dragon Pendant Framing a Disc, Warring States Period, 475 - 221 BCE. Jade. H: 2 3/8 in. W: 3 3/4 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Plaque Ornament of a Serpentine Tiger with Spiral Tail, a Bear, and a Feng Bird, Han Dynasty, 206 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. H:3 1/2 in. W: 1 7/8 in. Th: 1/4 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Three-Piece Sectional Bi Disc-Ring, Spring and Autumn-Warring States Period, 770 - 486 BCE. Jade. Dia: 4 3/4 in. Th: 3/16 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.

China, Scabbard Slide with Open-Work & Relief Dragons, Qin-Han Dynasties,221 BCE - 220 CE. Jade. H: 2 3/8 in. W: 3 3/8 in. Th: 5/8 in. Photo courtesy Throckmorton Fine Art.