Gold and Jade Wares—Artifacts Excavated from the Tombs of Seigniors in Jiangxi Province in the Ming Dynasty on View in Jinsha

Release Time: 2017-11-01

    On May 15, 2014, Gold and Jade Wares—Artifacts Excavated from the Tombs of Seigniors in Jiangxi Province in the Ming Dynasty was held in the Jinsha Site Museum co-sponsored by the Chengdu Jinsha Site Museum and the Jiangxi Provincial Museum. It is learned that 137 exhibits showed up in four units: Introduction to the Seigniors, Jade with Pearl, Gilding Works and Jade with Gold. The exhibition would be closed up on Aug. 20.

    After foundation of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang implemented the enfeoffment system amongst his sons and grandsons for the purpose of consolidating the country. The system was then carried on. During the whole Ming Dynasties, 13 kings in 10 generations served as the Shu King in modern Sichuan. There were 3 major systems in the modern Jiangxi Province: in the 1st year of Yongle (1403), Zhu Quan (the Prince of Ningxian), the 16th son of Zhu Yuanzhang, was relocated to Nanchang which was under his family governance for 5 generations, called the Seignior Ning; in the 1st year of Zhengtong (1436), Zhu Zhanao (the Prince of Huaijing), the 7th son of Zhu Gaochi, was relocated to Raozhou which was under his family governance for 8 generations, called the Seignior Huai; in the 8th year of Hongzhi (1495), Zhu Youbing (the Prince of Yiduan), the 4th son of Zhu Jianshen, established the Changfu which was under his family governance for 7 generations, called the Seignior Yi. 

    Gold and Jade Ware, Outlining the Luxury Life of Ming Royal Family 

    The gold and jade implements attracted the most eyes on the exhibition, including Jade Gui, Jade Plate, Jade Bi, Jade Belt, Jade Boy, Jade Goat, Jade Fish, Jade Bird and Jade Pendant, and various implements made of gold, gold and jade or gold inlaid with germs. Jade implements were made in different types, styles and patterns with fine workmanship. The high workmanship was also embodied in gold ornaments, such as hammering, welding, hollowing, engraving, filigree, wire inlaying and embedment. Of novel style, they reflected the gorgeous royal life and magnificence. 

    A pair of gold phoenix hairpins unearthed from the tombs of the Seignior Yiduan and his wives was made by filigree except the phoenix heads , and shall be a representative of royal gold and silver ware in the Year of Yongle. Moreover, another piece of hairpin had the most surprise in concept and workmanship that it was made by hammering, engraving and filigree processes to show a small world of buildings with eves and columns, in which, the immortals were dancing with music and surrounded by different flowers.