James C. S. Lin

Chinese Jades from the Neolithic Period to the Twentieth Century

The Immortal Stone

During the last two centuries BC, the Western Han dynasty of China forged the first stable empire covering all of China and presided over a golden age that shaped much of subsequent Chinese art and culture. From family values to the structure of the civil service, Han thinking and philosophy continue to pervade Chinese society up to the present day - indeed, the majority of Chinese people consider themselves 'Han Chinese'. In the search for immortality, the Han imperial family left an artistic legacy of spectacular beauty and power. The finest of these treasures to have survived - including exquisite jades, silver and goldwork, bronzes and ceramics - have been found in the tombs of the Han imperial family and of a revival 'emperor' of Nanyue.

Tomb Treasures of Han China

The Search for Immortality

Fitzwilliam Museum

The Immortal Stone covers the most important periods of jade in Chinese history, drawing on examples from the extraordinarily rich collection at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. The use of jade declined after the collapse of the Han empire and it was not until the Ming and Qing periods that jades began to circulate among affluent members of Chinese society. This fluctuation in the use of jade throughout the centuries is discussed fully in this beautifully illustrated book, covering the concept of jade in a Chinese context; its value and significance in Chinese society; its use on tombs and the major cultures and periods when jade was most frequently found on tombs; its daily use in the Ming and Qing dynasties; the Imperial collection from the Qing dynasty and the problem of fakes in the market today. Showcasing 105 jades from the collection at the Fitzwilliam and including pieces from museums in China and Taiwan, this is a stunning portrayal and history of this exquisite craft. AUTHOR: James C. S. Lin is the Assistant Keeper of Applied Art at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. SELLING POINTS: *Covers the most important periods of jade in Chinese history *Showcases 105 jades from the collection at the Fitzwilliam Museum and includes pieces from museums in China and Taiwan *Stunning portrayal and history of this exquisite craft 230 colour & 11 b/w illustrations

James C. S. Lin

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