Chinese Jade

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Chinese Jade
(206 BC-19th c.)

The unbroken tradition of jade carving, from Neolithic times until today, is often cited as an example of the continuity of Chinese culture. The Chinese term yu is used for various kinds of semi-precious stones but only the minerals nephrite and jadeite form the true jade.

In early Chinese civilizations jade was believed to have magic properties and was especially used for ritual objects and grave-goods of which the most striking were the grave clothes made of jade disks during the Han dynasty (206 BC-24 AD).