gems, jade, China, Chinese art, nephrite, yu, fei cui, Chinese jade carving, archaeology

This is a comprehensive two-volume set titled The Atlas of Ancient Chinese Jade, compiled by Chang Suxia and published by Jin Cheng Publishing House in 2013. This authoritative reference work is an updated edition of the 1999 original, organized chronologically to provide a systematic overview of jade production from the Neolithic period through to the Qing Dynasty. It focuses primarily on artifacts recovered from archaeological excavations and major museum collections, ensuring a high level of authenticity and academic rigor. The volumes contain over 3,000 detailed illustrations, including professional rubbings, technical drawings, and high-quality color photographs. Volume one covers Neolithic cultures (including Hongshan, Liangzhu, Longshan, and Qijia), the Xia, Shang, and Western Zhou dynasties, as well as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Volume two covers the Han, Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties, through to the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. It also includes an extensive compilation of excavated materials and a detailed index. An indispensable resource for collectors, scholars, and appraisers of Chinese antiquities, this set provides clear visual markers for identifying the stylistic and functional characteristics of jade across five thousand years of history. Whether you are studying the ritual significance of early Neolithic jades or the intricate decorative craftsmanship of the later imperial dynasties, this work offers unparalleled depth and visual documentation for any serious library.