Book Chinese Cultural Relics written by Li Li Photo: Courtesy of China Intercontinental Press

Jade Artifacts of the Liangzhu Culture

Jade artifacts of the Liangzhu Culture are found mainly in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. A social estate system was already in place in these areas when these were produced, under which the privileged depended, in addition to forces of arms, on divine power and witchcraft to run roughshod over their subjects, the majority of the local people. That may explain why we attribute most jade artifacts of the Liangzhu Culture - cong, bi as well as objects that take the shape of hats, semi-circles or three-throng spears - to primitive witchcraft and worshipping of the supernatural. As a matter of fact, these artifacts are often geometrical in shape with symmetrical patterns engraved on them, in a style that denotes solemnity. While the largest in size, cong pieces - those long, hollow pieces with triangular sides - outnumber jade artifacts of all other types belonging to the Liangzhu Culture. 

It has been a long time since we began taking note of the decorative designs on jade artifacts of the Liangzhu Culture - particularly on those used at sacrificial ceremonies - that feature animal faces complete with eyes, noses, mouths and other organs. 

The discovery in 1986 of the largest cong, or the "king of congs," was a surprise. The "king," which is 8.8 centimeters long and 17.6 centimeters in diameter and weighs 6.5 kilograms, was unearthed from an ancient tomb on Mount Fanshan, Zhejiang Province. Animal faces in neat groups are engraved on its surface, with the lines recognized as the most elaborate for jade artifacts of the Liangzhu Culture.

About the book 

Chinese Cultural Relics written by Li Li published by China Intercontinental Press