gems, jade, Fischer-Book, early gemology, early mineralogy

Schuh: Very rare. One of the earliest 16th century treatises on mineralogy and precious stones. It is a different type of lapidary, with its arrangement of gems and minerals according to color rather than the typical alphabetical sequence. The four classes are white, green, red and blue or black. Thus are classified: I. De gemmis candidis, including diamond, rock crystal, iris, ceraunia & astroite, pederote, asteria, achate, draconite, allectorio, and margaritis. II. De gemmis viridibus, including smaragdo (emerald), beryllis, chrysoprasio, topatio, callaide, prasio, heliotropio, jaspide. III. De gemmis rubeis, including carbunculorum generibus, amthysto, hyacintho, sarda, sardonyce, anyce, hematite, corallio, hephesite, chrysolito, electro, and opalo. IV. Gemmis coeruleis & nigris, including cyaneo, saphiro, calaide & ceraunia, de moris gemmis, de gemmis ad ectypam, etc. Adams (1938) notes that the descriptions are better than earlier works, although Thorndike (1923-58) declares the work little more than a compilation from Greek and Latin writers, above all, Pliny ...""

gems, jade, Fischer-Book

Das Buch der Natur (Book of nature) is a Medieval Latin compendium of science that was edited and translated into German in the 14th century by Konrad von Megenberg, a German scholar and writer who was probably born at Mainberg (Megenberg), near Schweinfurt, Bavaria, in 1309, and died at Ratisbon (Regensburg) in 1374. He studied at Erfurt and then at the University of Paris, where he taught philosophy and theology from 1334 to 1342. In 1342 he moved to Ratisbon, where he was a parish priest and a preacher. Later he became a cathedral canon, and member of the town council. He wrote at least 30 books, of which Das Buch der Natur is the best known. The book is based on a Latin compendium, Liber de natura rerum, by the 13th-century Dominican priest Thomas of Cantimpré, but Konrad made many revisions to the original work, omitting much material and introducing his own observations and corrections. The result is a survey of all that was known of natural history at that time. The book is in eight parts: (1) On mankind, anatomy, and physiology (50 chapters); (2) Heaven and the seven planets, astronomy, and meteorology (33 chapters); (3) Zoology (69 quadrupeds, 72 birds, 20 sea monsters, 29 fish, 37 snakes, lizards, and reptiles, and 31 worms); (4) Ordinary trees (55 chapters), aromatic trees (29 chapters); (5) Herbs and vegetables (89 chapters); (6) Precious and semiprecious stones (86 chapters); (7) Ten kinds of metals; and (8) Streams and waters. Also included is a section on the monstrous human races found in the east. The choice and arrangement of subjects is typical of many medieval encyclopedias. The book was widely read until the 16th century and exists in numerous manuscript copies. It was first printed in Augsburg in 1475. Presented here is a slightly later edition from Augsburg, printed in 1481.

gems, jade, jade identification, jadeite, fei cui, nephrite

The purpose of this manual is to provide an introductory knowledge of jade to all those who, for one reason or another, are interested in this material, which has been used to create luxury and jewellery objects from prehistory to the present day. This text is intended to be read by gemologists, but it is also designed to be useful to anyone seeking information about the diverse group of minerals of similar appearance that are confused with jade and used in the manufacture of carvings and gemstones intended for jewellery. Throughout this work, jadeite and nephrite—the two minerals that are properly considered jade—are continuously compared with the materials that most closely resemble them and are most frequently encountered in the marketplace, such as serpentine, chalcedony, and prehnite, while also considering artificial materials such as plastics and glass. This manual for the identification of jade is, as a whole, a synthesis of other works cited in the bibliography at the end and the result of my own laboratory experience in the identification and study of jade. Since it cannot exactly be said that bookshops are overflowing with gemological works published in Spanish, I hope that this modest contribution will help, in some measure, to fill that gap.

gems, jade, jadeite, fei cui, Mesoamerica, Aztecs, Guatemala, Guatemala jade, Costa Rica

This gallery explains the process of jade working in the Pre-Columbian period, its provenance and the routes followed by various groups for its trade. It also discusses the symbolism, social use and spiritual function that objects made from this material had in the ceremonies performed by the shaman. The gallery offers electronic devices, tactile and sound resources for blind visitors and other users, maps of jade trade routes, videos on the technology used to work this material, a diorama of a Pre-Columbian family and a cylinder depicting a shamanic ritual scene. Among the collection exhibited in this gallery are objects originating from the Olmec and Maya regions, ceramic objects with motifs influenced by Mesoamerica, as well as a great variety of objects made from different materials using the same techniques employed for jade pieces.

gems, jade, jadeite, fei cui, Mesoamerica, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mayans, Olmecs, Aztecs, archaeology, history, archaeogemology, lapidary

Many jade polishing techniques are cited in Old and New World ethnographic and ethnohistoric accounts, including the use of leather, wood, bamboo, emery, slate and other stones. Archaeological evidence emerging from Maya sites indicates that limestone polishers may in some cases have been used, possibly in conjunction with an abrasive. Soil chemistry has demonstrated the presence of iron associated with some jade-working surfaces, possibly suggesting the use of hematite powder — often a component of modern jeweller’s rouge — as a polishing agent. This research will attempt to replicate some of these techniques and test their efficiency.Many jade polishing techniques are cited in Old and New World ethnographic and ethnohistoric accounts, including the use of leather, wood, bamboo, emery, slate and other stones. Archaeological evidence emerging from Maya sites indicates that limestone polishers may in some cases have been used, possibly in conjunction with an abrasive. Soil chemistry has demonstrated the presence of iron associated with some jade-working surfaces, possibly suggesting the use of hematite powder — often a component of modern jeweller’s rouge — as a polishing agent. This research will attempt to replicate some of these techniques and test their efficiency.

gems, jade, history of jade

Discusses the archaeology of Hongshan Culture jade in China, along with jade cultures in Siberia and Central Asia. The Hongshan Culture “As an important part of the Neolithic Age in Northern China, the Hongshan Culture covers an area from the Wuerjimulun River valley of Chifeng, Inner Mongolia in the north to Chaoyang, Lingyuan and the northern part of Hebei Province in the south, and extends eastward to cover Tongliao and Jinzhou. Hongshan Culture is characterized primarily by the ancient painted potteries, the “Z”-stripped potteries, and the unique digging tools-stone spades and laurel leave-shaped two-holed stone knives. The potteries of Hongshan Culture fall into two types-clay potteries and sand-mixed potteries, both manually made. The clay potteries are mostly red, usually in the forms of bowl, basin, jar, and pots, etc., most of which are containers with small flat bottoms. Most of the clay potteries are decorated with black or purple stripes arranged mainly in parallel lines, triangles, scale-shaped patterns, and occasionally in “Z”-shaped pressed stripes. The stoneware of Hongshan Culture is made by grinding with the blades of stone knives finely ground and the edges and backs in curved symmetry, indicating a fairly developed agricultural economy of the culture. Within the area of Hongshan Culture, bones of oxen, lambs, pigs, deer, and river deer have been unearthed, though in small numbers. The oxen, lambs, and pigs, which are presumably domestic animals, vaguely indicate that the early inhabitants of Hongshan Culture lived a settled life supplemented by animal husbandry, fishery, and hunting.” “More than 20 cirrus-shaped jade articles have been unearthed at the site of Hongshan Culture, and each of them represents two fundamental themes-cirrus-shaped angles and minor convexities. A combination of cirrus-shaped angles and minor convexities in different ways constitute the various patterns and designs of the cirrus-shaped jade articles of Hongshan Culture, which is best demonstrated by the enormous blackish-green jade dragon unearthed at Sanxingtala Township of Wengniute Banner. The dragon is 26 cm in height with the head of a swine and the body of a serpent, coiling like cirrus. Similar dragons were found later in Balin Right Banner and the Antiques Store of Liaoning Province. These cirrus-shaped jade articles can be classified into four types by analyzing their patterns and designs: decorative articles, tools, animals, and special ones, of which the hoop-shaped articles are among the typical pieces of the jade ware of Hongshan Culture. The association of the shapes of these jade articles with their cultural context indicates that the special articles and the tools were made to meet the needs of religious ceremonies. The discovery of cirrus-shaped jade dragon at Hongshan Culture strongly suggests Inner Mongolia as one of the essential sites to trace the worship for dragons by the Chinese people.” “From religious relics of Hongshan Culture like the “Goddess Temple” and stone-pile tombs have been found at Dongshanzui of Kazuo County and Niuheliang at the juncture of Lingyuan County and Jianping County of Liaoning Province. The central part of Dongshanzui relics is the foundation of a large-scaled square structure built of stone. The overall layout of the bilateral symmetry of the foundation to a south-north axis, which is characteristic of the traditional Chinese architectural style, is the first of its kind ever discovered at the site of Neolithic Age. The pottery figures unearthed at the relics indicate that the sites used to be places for sacrificial ceremonies or similar activities. In the first place, archeological studies show that Hongshan Culture was developed on the basis of Xinglongwa Culture and Zhaobaogou Culture, and the inheritance and development in religious traditions between the three cultures are evident. No sites devoted exclusively to sacrificial rites have been found so far in Xinglongwa Culture and Zhaobaogou Culture. The discovery of Niulianghe Relics indicates that large-scaled centers for sacrificial rites had shown up by the end of Hongshan Culture. This is not only a breakthrough in the study of Hongshan Culture but a discovery of great significance to the exploration of the origin of the Chinese civilization.” “Secondly, Hongshan Culture is credited with remarkable achievements in architecture, pottery-making, jade-carving, and pottery sculptures which are at higher levels than those of Xinglongwa Culture and Zhaobaogou Culture. The duet of square pottery molds unearthed at the relics of a house of Hongshan Culture at Xitai, Aohan Banner, which is the earliest mold for metal casting, shows that the early people of Hongshan Culture had mastered the technology of bronze casting. Next, hunting was in the dominant position in Xinglongwa Culture and Zhaobaogou Culture, while by contrast, agriculture played an essential role in the economy of Hongshan Culture. Judging from the position of Hongshan Culture in the archeological culture of ancient Northern China and China in the Neolithic Age, we can well assume that Hongshan Culture is one of the most advanced cultures among the ranks of its peers in both southern and northern China at that time when the smelting of bronze had made appearance, the earliest cities surrounded by ditches had shown up, and the division between urban and rural areas had taken shape. Religious activities characterized by worshiping dragon and jade and respecting the ancestors were in vogue. The conflicts among social groups and the subsequent fights for the unification of religious beliefs had become the fundamental social issue. This is another proof to the assumption that the people of Hongshan Culture had marched from the clan society into the historical phase of ancient kingdoms. Therefore, we can say that by laying a foundation for the development of the Chinese civilization of five thousand years and formulating and influencing the layout of the origin and the progress of the protocol-dominating culture of China, Hongshan Culture plays an extremely essential role in the evolution of the Chinese civilization.”

gems, jade, nephrite, China, Chinese jade carving

This illustrated exhibition catalogue examines jade culture at the Qing imperial court, focusing on the flourishing of jade carving during the Qianlong reign. More than one hundred Qing objects—including imperial seals, palace furnishings, vessels, sculptures, personal ornaments, and scholars’ objects—are presented according to their functions and courtly settings. The catalogue considers Qianlong’s personal patronage, the increased supply of jade from Xinjiang, and the technical achievements of craftsmen working in the imperial workshops and major production centres such as Suzhou and Yangzhou. Its four thematic sections address imperial authority, palace display, personal adornment, and the continuation of jade-working traditions in contemporary art. Together, the entries document the materials, workmanship, imagery, symbolism, and ceremonial or practical uses of jade, while showing how imperial taste helped bring Qing jade carving to an exceptional level of refinement.

gems, jade, Chinese jade, nephrite, Chinese jade carving, jadeite, fei cui

Sinkankas: This delightful and colorful promotional pamphlet was issued by the famous London department store and provides a brief yet engaging history of jade, emphasizing the high esteem in which it is held by the Chinese. It includes several informative paragraphs on the mineralogy of jade, the most prized colors, common motifs used in carvings, and their symbolism. The pamphlet concludes with a final paragraph describing a Mandarin rosary and its origins. While the plates are not crisply printed, the colors are true to the objects depicted, which include bracelets, pins, and pendants made from both jadeite and nephrite. The summary by G.M. Born (pages 214–215) suggests a publication date of 1919, which has been adopted.

jade, nephrite, jadeite, fei cui, jade testing, gems

Over the years, a variety of methods have been used to study stone materials belonging to a class loosely termed “jade.” Jade is a complex material, and much of its study at the Freer and Sackler has been aimed at an understanding of its visual appearance and physical characteristics such as mineral composition, color, translucency, and surface alteration. More extensive studies have focused on learning about early Chinese cultures through the study of their jade objects, such as the study of minor elemental composition which can inform us about the geological sources of their raw materials, and microscopic study of tool marks which provide clues to the working methods used to create them. The following digest contains many of the basic methods that have been used at the Freer and Sackler and also associates them with the principle investigator when known. Some of these methods are more precise and reliable than others, and some require sampling while others do not.

gems, jade, nephrite, New Zealand nephrite

Fascinating small book about traditional Maori symbols carved in bone and nephrite jade.