Page 66 - China, 5000 years : innovation and transformation in the arts

Fig. 11. Jade ornamental plaque from tomb No. 1 at
Xiasi, Xichuan, Henan Province. Eastern Zhou, Spring

and Autumn period (770—476 bce).

Fig. 10. Jade mask and pectoral from tomb No. 2001,
Shangcunling, Sanmeuxia, Henan Province. Western
Zhou period (ca. 1100-771 BCE).

the mercy of the most powerful states of the day,

known then as the Five Hegemonies (Wu Ba).

By the beginning of the fifth century bce, C2
internecine warfare was intensive. China was
divided into seven powerful states, and there were Fig. 12. Variations of Eastern Zhou and Han jade
numerous smaller ones that came and went, such as
Peng in southern Henan at Xujialmg, which was pectoral and girdle ornaments: A. Decorative painted
consumed by Chu.We read in poems from the
wooden figurines from Chu tombs at Xiuyang, Henan
Chuci ("Songs of the South") about various types Province, and Jiangling, Hubei Province; B. From tomb
of art whose specialty belonged to one of the
No. 58,groupYi, Lit state, Shandong Province; C:i—J.
competitive states. For example, the state of Qui From burials accompanying the tomb of the King of
was esteemed for its basketware, Qi for its silk Nanyuc, Guangdong Province. Eastern Zhou— Western
cords, Zheng for its silk banners, and Jin apparently
for its finely made belt buckles (xibi) that "glittered Han periods (770 BCE—S CE).
like bright suns." 45 Although Jin is credited with

—creating exquisite belt buckles presumably of
—jade the artistic domain of jade was not limited to

this northwestern state. Jade girdles and pectorals

JADE AS MATERIAL AND EPOCH

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