Cong are among the most impressive yet most enigmatic of all ancient Chinese jade artifacts. The principal decoration on cong of the Liangzhu period was the face pattern, which may refer to spirits or deities. On the square-sectioned pieces, like the examples here, the face pattern is placed across the corners, whereas on the bracelet form it appears in square panels. These faces are derived from a combination of a man-like figure and a mysterious beast.
During the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), jade figurines of servants were commonly placed in tombs as burial goods, believed to serve the deceased in the afterlife. These jade figures, often depicted in kneeling positions, represent a tradition of funerary art related to the earlier Qin dynasty terracotta warriors. The practice of burying servants with the deceased, whether living or in effigy, reflected the belief in an afterlife similar to earthly life, where the deceased would require the same comforts and services.
A "jade Fang Xiangshi" refers to a jade amulet or sculpture depicting the Fang Xiangshi, a figure from ancient Chinese mythology known for warding off evil spirits and disease. These pieces, often made of green or white jade, are historically significant and valued by collectors of Chinese antiques.
Jade pigs were a common funerary item during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), often placed in the hands of the deceased to symbolize wealth and prosperity in the afterlife. These jade carvings typically depict pigs in a recumbent or cylindrical form, with features like flat snouts, pointed ears, and tucked-under legs delineated by grooves. The pigs are often found in pairs and are made from celadon or grey-green jade, sometimes with russet or buff inclusions.
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