This document provides information about and images of various Chinese jade sculptures from the Sadigh Gallery collection. It discusses the cultural and historical significance of jade in Chinese culture, how it was used in burial rituals, and how carving styles evolved over dynasties to include literary and symbolic references. The bulk of the document images and describes over 20 individual jade sculptures in the collection dating from 200-1700 AD, including figures, vessels, discs and more carved from varieties of green, brown and variegated jade depicting animals, dragons, deities and other motifs. It invites viewing more pieces from their Asian collection online.

1. SADIGH GALLERY
Beautiful Chinese Jade Sculptures
http://sadighgalleryasian.moonfruit.com

2. “Stone of heaven” is a term used by the Chinese to describe what they view as the most
precious of gems - Jade. To understand the importance of Jade to the Chinese is to gain
insight into their culture and history. Jade is woven into the very fabric of Chinese ethos
and it has been from the earliest Neolithic cultures that thrived in what became known as
China.
The appeal of Jade to the ancient Chinese was due to its toughness, luster, multiplicity of
colors and the transformation it underwent when heated. The burning of Jades in pre-
burial cremation ceremonies was essential for members of the ruling class in many areas
and periods of ancient China. Confucius compared the qualities of Jade to those of a cul-
tured man.
In the modern dynasties (the Ming, 1368-1644, and the Qing, 1644-1912) Jade work
became more self-conscious and referential. Often jades alluded to a work of literature or
some other aspect of China’s cultural heritage such as fanciful and whimsical mythical
beasts). Alternatively, they might involve a sort of witticism known as a rebus. Rebuses
are hidden meanings or verbal puns arising from characters that have double meanings;
they usually refer to auspicious signs or wishes.

3. The following are some of our
finest Asian jade collection.
Enjoy!

4. 29029
Jade Vessel in the form of a brown pig with
beautiful carvings to the body, the ears up
in alert position, lid with a seated pig on
top, with open fretwork. Very ornate and
attractive.
Size: 6” x 11”
Date: 1300 AD

5. 29189
Carved light brown jade disc. Carved in low relief are two
fish facing each other with other geometric patterns around
them, a lotus flower above them in the center.
Discs were placed above the head, below
the feet, and on the chest of the deceased.
Earthen patina.
Size: 10”
Date: 200 AD

6. 37684
Carved variegated jade horse standing on a base, its head bowed
to the left in an alert attitude, its mane combed up into tufts, a
baby horse below its front legs. Traces of brown and red.
Size: 9” x 8 ½”
Date: 1300 AD

7. 34576
Carved variegated red jade bull with pointed horns, very
detailed features, flaring nostrils, head down in alert position.
The bulls are associated with power and aggression.
Very beautifully carved.
Size: 13 ½” x 9 ½”
Date: 1300 AD

8. 34533
Carved green jade vessel in the shape of a rooster,
an animal with ring at the tail. Incised designs to
the body.
Size: 6” x 6”
Date: 1300 AD

9. 37700
Carved light green jade statue of a child with an animal
with multiple tentacles.Traces of red. Earthen patina.
Size: 10” x 7”
Date: 1300 AD

10. 42706
Large carved variegated dark green jade, fierce winged and
horned dragon, with traces of red, right leg forward, open
mouth showing teeth and tongue, long flaring tail.
Size: 12” x 18”
Date: 1300 AD

11. 30549
Carved green jade disc with a fierce dragon on the
surface. Discs were placed above the head, below
the feet and on the chest of the deceased.
Size: 9”
Date: 200 AD

12. 34578
Carved light green jade Kuan Yin, Chinese
Goddess of Mercy, seated in meditation on a
lotus base in an elaborate costume and crown,
serene expression, elongated earlobes, with six
arms holding offerings including a bottle, ball,
and two axes. Traces of brown. Very beautiful
and attractive.
Size: 19 ½” x 11 ½”
Date: 1300 AD

13. 36558
Carved variegated beige jade winged, nude
figure with a dragon/lion like creature on the
top, the phallus visible. Traces of brown.
Size: 7 ½” x 3 ¼”
Date: 1300 AD

14. 36569
Carved brown variegated jade human figurine
standing on a base, with one leg, in an elaborate
costume, with small sticks in his hands.
Size: 10” x 5”
Date: 1300 AD

15. 37508
Carved light green jade Chinese monk or
philosopher. He wears a pointed cap with
Asian calligraphy, and a flowing robe.
Bending on a base, he holds a fan in his
left hand. Very beautiful and attractive.
With traces of red.
Size: 11 ½” x 6”
Date: 1300 AD

16. 37686
Elaborate carved green jade Foo Dog seated
on a base, the body with intricate designs,
a Foo Dog medallion on the chest, flaring
nostrils, a ball in its mouth, the right leg
resting on a ball. Earthen encrustation.
Size: 8 ½” x 4 ½” x 3 ½”
Date: 1700’s AD

17. 37695
Carved light green jade two-piece vessel, the
surroundings with lotus flowers, a winged
creature on the surface, the lid with a winged
creature and lotus flower. Traces of brown.
Earthen patina.
Size: 12” x 8”
Date: 1300 AD

18. 38492
Carved variegated brown jade statue with traces of red,
depicting a human figure on one knee, wearing a cap,
an elaborate robe, pointed boots, one leg bent to the side,
stylized eyes and ears are rectangular. Calligraphy on the
front, back and on the bottom of the robe, hands held a
sword, which is missing.
Size: 11 ¼” x 5 ¾”
Date: 1300 AD

19. 39984
Hollow variegated dark jade skull with a frowning
brow, round nostrils, and a full set of teeth.
Size: 6“ x 3“
Date: 1300 AD

20. 41654
Carved two-piece variegated green jade
winged grotesque creature with horns, on top
of cylinders with spinning wheels. A winged
figure baring its teeth is kneeling on its back
and serves as a removable lid.
Size: 11 ½” x 9 ¼” x 4”
Date: 1300 AD

21. 42703
Large carved light green jade Buddha seated in Dhyanasana
on a lotus base, left hand raised, his oval face with a peaceful
expression, small bow shaped mouth, heavy lidded almond
shaped eyes, and finely arched eyebrows, hair arranged in
rows of small curls. Traces of brown. Very attractive and
beautiful.
Size: 13 ½” x 7
Date: 1300 AD

22. 37690
Carved variegated brownish-green
jade dragon with a turtle shell,
a winged animal on the top with
coin currency. Traces of red.
Size: 11 ½” x 9 ½”
Date: 1300 AD

23. 36570
Carved green jade disc with a hole in the center, dragon like
animals and flowers on the outer rim.
Size: 11 ¾”
Date: 200 AD

24. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING
To see more from our Asian collection, visit
http://sadighgalleryasian.moonfruit.com
This website provides images and the history of
some of the Asian artifacts in our collection.