DescriptionLight tan hand carved nephrite ewer. Carved from a single jade boulder with depictions or carved mythical creature on handle and ritual symbols. These symbols are significant for their auspicious meanings.The ancient Chinese considered jade the most precious of all materials, prizing it more than gold, silver or bronze. Sophisticated jade and lapidary production techniques had already been mastered by the Neolithic era, and the love of jade, which some anthropologists consider a defining characteristic of Chinese culture, has endured until the present day. The ancient Chinese considered jade the most precious of all materials, prizing it more than gold, silver or bronze. Sophisticated jade and lapidary production techniques had already been mastered by the Neolithic era, and the love of jade, which some anthropologists consider a defining characteristic of Chinese culture, has endured until the present day. Earliest jades came in the form of ritual implements (such as bi discs and cong tubes), articles of personal adornment, making this ewer very unusual.Size: 9 inches long
