Jade Seals of the Han Dynasty

The specifications and grades of the Han Dynasty seals varied according to the official position and title. The imperial seals of the emperors of the Han Dynasty were all dragon tiger buttons carved from white jade. They were divided into six different seals, including the Emperor's Seal, and the Emperor's Seal. The queen used the golden seal snake button, the princes used the golden seal camel button, the marquises used the golden seal turtle button, and the crown prince, the prime minister, the marshal, the three princes, the front, back, left and right generals used the golden seal turtle button. Two thousand stone officials used silver seal turtle buttons, while Liu Zhu used silver seal turtle buttons. The size of the seal was generally 2.2-2.8 cm square, also known as the square inch seal. Different grades of seals had different materials, size, and buttons.

During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, there were many performances in the imperial seal jade ware. During the Qianlong period, jade craftsmanship reached its peak. The ancestors of the Qianlong Emperor left him more than 1000 square jade seals. He ordered the renovation and asked the people of the Internal Affairs Office to carve them. He gathered 25 square jade seals, including the metal jade seals left outside the customs and the newly carved 21 square jade seals, and placed them in Jiaotai Hall. In the auction market, the white jade seal of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty was a circular seal made when Emperor Qianlong was 85 years old. In 2011, the auction price reached 161 million yuan, breaking the world record for imperial jade seals and white jade auctions. The white jade seal of Emperor Qianlong's imperial treasure was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong in 2010 for 106 million yuan.(121620000 Hong Kong dollars), breaking the world record for the auction and the white jade auction at that time. In 2011, Freeman's released a Qing Emperor Qianlong jade seal at a high price of 3,725,000 US dollars. At the upcoming "Asian Art" auction on October 14,2011, Freeman's presented the Qianlong Emperor's "Treasure of the Emperor" jade seal with a starting price of 150,000 US dollars. These imperial seals were exquisitely made, with unique designs and craftsmanship. They reflected the aesthetic taste and craftsmanship of the imperial family at that time, and also represented the power and status of Emperor Qianlong. They had high historical significance, cultural value, artistic value, and collection value. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>

The Han Dynasty jade ware referred to the jade ware from the Warring States Period to the Han Dynasty. The jade wares of this period had a rich variety of types and unique characteristics. In terms of types, according to the shape and use of the ware, it could be divided into four categories: ceremonial jade, burial jade, decorative jade, and display jade. Among them, there were some changes in the ritual jade compared to the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. For example, the six kinds of "auspicious jade" in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties had been abandoned in the Han Dynasty except for Bi and Gui. In terms of craftsmanship, the production tools improved during the Han Dynasty, allowing the jade processing technology to reach a new height. The production of jade articles had broken through the restrictions of the past. The artistic imagination had been released, and the processing skills were rich and varied. For example, there were more round carvings, high embossed, open-cut carvings, and jade articles with thin lines. On the decoration, it changed from abstract to realistic. For example, animal-shaped jade articles, whether they were round carvings or piece carvings, had a lively shape. The lines and patterns had distinct characteristics of the times, like the ancient jade of the Han Dynasty, which had a sharp feeling. Judging from the quality of the jade, after the war, the ancient jade was mainly made of Hetian material in Xinjiang, especially high-quality jade. The higher the grade, the more refined the jade was. The jade ware of this period had a unique style in terms of style, craftsmanship, decoration, and jade quality, reflecting the changes in social changes, customs, and ideas (especially religious ideas) at that time. It played a role in the transition of the history of China jade ware. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>

The green jade of the Han Dynasty had the following characteristics and meanings: ** 1. Material Characteristics ** 1. ** Elements and causes ** - The material composition of sapphire was the same or similar to that of white jade. The cause of formation was the same as that of white jade. They were both formed by contact metamorphosis, but only because they contained trace elements of iron. 2. ** Color expression ** - The ancients said that the color of sapphire was shrimp green, snot green, willow green, bamboo green and so on. - According to "Ge Gu Lun," the green jade in ancient jade is light green and yellow. ** 2. Physical Attributes ** - It was usually larger, more delicate, warm, and oily. - A portion of the green jade had a very good toughness due to its dense interwoven structure. It was an important raw material for making thin-body utensils. - Among the Hetian jade, green jade was the hardest and was also known as steel jade. ** 3. The embodiment and significance of the jade ware in the Han Dynasty ** 1. ** In terms of ritual vessels ** - "Zhou Li, Spring and Autumn, Da Zong Bo" records: "Jade is used to make six objects, and it is used to worship the four directions of heaven and earth. He used the green jade to salute the sky, the yellow Cong to salute the earth, the green Gui to salute the east, the red Zhang to salute the south, the white Hu to salute the west, and the black Huang to salute the north." Gui was a kind of rectangular jade ware with a triangular or flat top. It was used in ancient times to worship the gods of the position and also to distinguish the status level (as recorded in the historical records,"Wang Zhi Zhen Gui, one foot two inches, Gong Zhi Heng Gui, nine inches." Hou holds the letter Gui, seven inches long. "Five inches"). During the Warring States Period, other than being used as a ritual vessel, the Gui also had the function of recording the alliance oaths of the vassals in order to cooperate with each other and protect their forces. 2. ** Relating to the imperial power ** - Although white jade was valued after the Han Dynasty, green jade was important in the Han Dynasty and before that. Many exquisite artifacts in ancient times were made of green jade, especially the jade seal that represented the imperial power. Therefore, green jade was also called the "Imperial Jade". Sapphire products of the Han Dynasty include holding pigs and so on. Not only were there a large number of green jade products in Liangzhu culture, but also the green jade of Hetian jade was widely used in the jade articles unearthed from Fuhao Tomb in Yin Ruins. 3. ** In terms of cultural implications ** - The Han Dynasty jade feather cup (double-ear cup) had a delicate and warm jade quality, a deep and pure jade color, presenting a strong overall aura, with the meaning of eternal foundation. ** 4. Instance ** - There was a Han Dynasty Sapphire Pig, 10.4 cm long and 2.5 cm wide, which was collected in Lianyungang City Museum. There was also the Han Dynasty style blue jade sword with a scabbard with dragon and phoenix patterns. It was made of Hetian blue jade and had a green and yellow color. It was 65cm long and 8.5 cm wide. It weighed 1434 grams and was composed of two parts, the sword body and the scabbard. The hilt, the sword frame, and other parts had exquisite carvings. This kind of jade sword was even rarer than the bronze sword. At that time, it should be a high-grade, non-practical, ceremonial or sacrificial place. It was used as a medium to show the level and communicate with the gods through jade. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>

The characteristics of the jade seal of the Han Dynasty included: the seal was mainly in Yin, using Miao Zhuan calligraphy; The shape of the seal surface was square, with a side length of about 1.4-2cm; The characters on the seal surface were engraved with Yin characters; The shapes of the seal buttons were various, including the shape of the bucket, the bridge button, the dragon tiger button, etc. The jade seal was mostly made of mound; The overall style was dignified and magnoliac, well-proportioned and square, exquisite in design, calm in bearing, without the feeling of imitation by later generations. The style of the jade seal of the Han Dynasty was quiet and elegant, graceful and luxurious, with natural twists and turns. The size of the jade seal in the Han Dynasty corresponded to the official's position and rank.

The difference between imperial seals and Han seals lay in the font, layout, and rules. You can learn the following information: - Royal Seals referred to ancient seals, including ancient seals and Qin Seals, while Han Seals referred to the seals of the Han Dynasty. - The characters and layout of the ancient seal and Qin seal were more free, without fixed rules and restrictions, while the Han seal was more orderly, fair, and solemn. - The characters of the ancient seals and Qin seals were unique and varied, with a messy layout, while the characters of the Han seals were rigorous, thick, straight and square. - The strokes of the ancient seal and the Qin seal were arranged in a compact manner. The red spaces between the lines were wider, while the red spaces between the lines of the Han seal were narrower. - The characters of the ancient seal and Qin seal were larger, while the characters of the Han seal were smaller. In summary, the difference between imperial seals and Han seals was mainly reflected in the font, layout, and rules. Royal Seals were more free and unrestrained, while Han Seals were more orderly and solemn.

Han seals referred to the seals from the Han Dynasty to the Wei and Jin Dynasties. Han seals played an important role in the art of seal carving. They had a far-reaching influence and were pursued and imitated by seal carvers. The characteristics of the Han Dynasty seals included being upright and plain, being in the seal script of Miao Zhuan, being simple and elegant, dignified and generous, etc. The Han Dynasty seals were mostly square or rectangular in shape, with simple and bright text and a structure similar to modern regular script. The artistic style of the Han seal had both a simple and dignified side, and a rough and majestic side. It was colorful, making the seal art enter an unprecedented prosperous stage. Generally speaking, the Han seal was a peak in the history of seal carving, which laid the foundation for the art of seal carving in later generations.

The characteristic of the old jade of the Han Dynasty was that it had a great visual difference from the jade of the Warring States Period. The streamlined jade of the Han Dynasty was not dynamic enough and was relatively stiff. In addition, the Han Dynasty's jade carving tradition continued the characteristics of the previous dynasty, but there were also some innovation in carving skills. For example, the Han Dynasty jade used the hairline carving technique, paying attention to the graceful and beautiful lines. The main material of the Han Dynasty jade ware was tremolite nephrite, among which Hetian jade and Manas jade were the main materials. Jade articles of the Han Dynasty also had a variety of shapes, such as jade swords, cups with high feet, and chicken heart pendants. In general, the characteristics of the old jade of the Han Dynasty were relatively rigid in shape, but there were some innovation in carving techniques and material selection.

The Han Dynasty jade mirror originated from the Warring States period. It was an ancient jade made to meet the needs of the royal family and nobles. It had high artistic value and historical and cultural value. The layer of skin on its surface was usually called "patina", and the formation process was as follows: 1. Natural Oxidation: Over time, the surface of the jade will react with the oxygen in the air, gradually forming a natural oxide-layer. 2. [Oil Penetration: When ancient people played with jade mirrors for a long time, the oil and sweat on their hands gradually penetrated the surface of the jade and combined with the jade molecules to form an oil film.] 3. Dust cover: Jade exposed to the air for a long time will absorb dust and microorganisms, these substances mixed with grease and the oxygen layer, further forming a patina. 4. [Rubbing and polishing: The constant friction in daily use makes the grease and the oxide-layer more evenly covered on the surface of the jade, finally forming a smooth and warm patina.] This layer of patina increased the beauty of the jade mirror and also reflected its historical and cultural value. In the museum, the jade mirror of the Han Dynasty was part of the precious display of ancient jade articles, jade figures, and ancient jade. An in-depth analysis of the material, craftsmanship, preservation status, historical background, and other aspects of the jade mirror would help to provide valuable reference information for collectors and buyers. At the same time, by studying its market trend and auction cases, it could explore the factors that affected the price, such as historical period, regional culture, market demand, and so on. The novel " Gilded Palm " is equally exciting. Everyone is welcome to click and read it!

The jades in the tombs of the Han Dynasty had many characteristics. ** 1. Source ** 1. ** Legacy of the previous dynasty ** - Due to the short history of the Qin Dynasty and the close proximity of the Warring States Period and the Western Han Dynasty, most of the jade ornaments unearthed from the tombs of the nobles in the early Western Han Dynasty had obvious characteristics of the Warring States Period. Some of them were even jade ornaments directly preserved from the Warring States Period. For example, a jade dancer unearthed from the tomb of Liu He, Marquis of Haiying in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, was a relic of the late Warring States Period. The jade pieces inlaid on the lacquer wood core jade pillow unearthed from the tomb of the courtier of the King of Chu in Lion Mountain, Xuzhou, covered all kinds of jade pendants from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Warring States Period. - The palace of the Han Dynasty inherited the treasures of the previous dynasty, including many jade articles. For example,"Han Shu·Suburban Sacrifice Annals" records that the "Suihou"(Suihou Pearl) and "Yubao Bi"(Heshi Bi) in Weiyang Palace during the reign of Emperor Xuan of Han Dynasty may be the pearls and jade collected in the former dynasty. 2. ** Project and Grave Robbing Gains ** - In the Han Dynasty, there were "large-scale infrastructure" activities, such as the construction of Changling and the tomb of Liu Yan, the king of Zhongshan Jian. Many tombs were destroyed in these projects, and the jade articles in them may have been passed down. - Grave robbing was prevalent in the Han Dynasty. Not only were there lawless people robbing tombs, but even the nobles were also involved. For example, Liu Quji, the king of Guangchuan, robbed the tombs of famous people such as King You of Zhou and King Xiang of Wei. Many jade articles buried in the previous dynasty were passed down as the source of ancient jade in the Han tombs. ** 2. Type and usage ** 1. ** Practicable tools ** - For example, the bronze cup unearthed from the tomb of the King of Nanyue of the Western Han Dynasty in Xianggang Mountain, Guangzhou, has a similar style to the high-foot jade cup unearthed from the site of the Qin Epang Palace in Chezhang Village, western suburb of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. It is a practical instrument used to mix jade chips and dew to drink. 2. ** Ornaments ** - The nobles of the Han Dynasty liked to wear ancient jade, and many of the jade in the tombs of the early Western Han Dynasty had the characteristics of the Warring States Period. For example, the jade dancer unearthed from the tomb of Liu He, Marquis of Haiying in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, was reassembled into a set of accessories by the Han Dynasty people with jade Huang and jade tube for use; the S-shaped dragon white jade pendant unearthed from the tomb of the King of Chu in Lion Mountain, Xuzhou, had holes under the eyes of the jade dragon for wearing, which was an accessory. There were also white jade dragon and phoenix patterns from the early Western Han Dynasty, white jade double dragon heads with hooks, and so on. 3. ** Burial Jade ** - In the Han Dynasty, people would reform the ancient jade of the previous dynasty and use it as burial jade. Craftsmen would make the old jade into jade clothes, jade ornaments, jade covers, and other funerary objects. For example, the lacquer wood core inlaid jade pillow unearthed from the tomb of the courtier of the King of Chu in Lion Mountain of Xuzhou was a burial jade. ** 3. Regional differences ** - The jade artifacts unearthed from the tombs of the Han Dynasty in different areas had different characteristics. For example, due to the hot weather and high air humidity in the tomb of the King of Nanyue in Guangzhou, most of the jade articles unearthed were in a white state, while the jade articles unearthed from the tomb of the King of Chu in Lion Mountain in Xuzhou were quite different. ** 4. In terms of artistic value ** - Jade articles of the Han Dynasty had high artistic value. For example, the green jade wall with the pattern of dragon and dragon holding ring and milk nail in Hebei Museum is the most complete and largest jade wall found in our country at present; There is also the white jade wall with double dragons carved on both sides of the jade wall, with a pair of vigorous and majestic Kui dragons carved on the upper end of the wall; The white feathered man riding on a horse jade carving, the round carving squatting posture jade to ward off evil spirits, jade bear, etc. unearthed from the Weiling Cemetery of Emperor Yuan of Han Dynasty; A large number of exquisite jade articles were unearthed from the tomb of Liu He, the deposed emperor of Han Dynasty; The rosefinch ring cup unearthed from the tomb of a senior official of the Han Dynasty in Fangwanggang, Chaohu, Anhui Province, all showed the exquisite craftsmanship of the jade ware of the Han Dynasty. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>