What kinds of ancient jade were there in the Warring States Period?

The Western Zhou Dynasty lasted for more than 200 years, from Zhou Wuwang's extinction of commerce in 1046 BC to Zhou Ping's and Dong Wang's relocation of the capital in 770 BC. Among the more than 0/000 Western Zhou tombs found so far, most of them produce jade, which is huge in quantity, high in quality and complete in variety. Important sites include: Beijing, Shandong Jiyang Liutaizi, Shaanxi Chang 'an Zhangjiapo, Gansu Lingtai Baicaopo, Henan Sanmenxia Guo Cemetery, Shaanxi Baoji Rujiazhuang National Cemetery, etc.

The material of jade articles in the Western Zhou Dynasty still maintains the rich characteristics of jade articles in the Shang Dynasty. Jade materials are mostly tremolite nephrite, including Hetian jade and xiuyan jade. There are also a small amount of agate, turquoise, crystal, talc, white marble, coal essence and Tianhe stone.

Jade articles in the Western Zhou Dynasty are mainly flaky, and there are few circular carvers. There are geometric shapes, animal shapes and people shapes. Geometry includes axes, knives, walls, rings, etc. Animal models mainly include jade people, people and dragons. There are also large-scale and complex groups.

The main characteristics of jade articles in the Warring States Period are: First, the jade is superior in quality. During the Warring States period, the jade used by princes was mostly combined with Hetian jade seed jade. Jade is delicate and moist, glittering and translucent, bluish white, and occasionally white jade; Second, the jade carving skills are exquisite, and the lines on the jade in the Warring States period, including the contour lines of modeling and the lines of yin and yang of ornamentation, are sharp, powerful, accurate and smooth; Thirdly, the image of dragon occupies a prominent position. In the case of jade in the animal country, dragon ranks first, followed by tiger and phoenix. Fourth, the unified style of the times is dominant. During the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, emerging cities around the country became new jade cutting centers. Due to frequent exchanges between jade-making centers around the country, there is no obvious difference between jade articles around the country, and the unified style of the times is its mainstream; Fifth, the use of jade has expanded. At that time, jade was not only the living utensils and decorations of the supreme ruler, but also its uses were gradually expanding. For example, some weapons are decorated with jade, and even sacrificed with jade.