The Immortal Stone

James C.S. Lin

The Immortal Stone draws on the extraordinarily rich collection of Chinese jades in The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. The most exceptional of these include objects from the Qing imperial court, animal sculptures, utensils and desk items of remarkable draftsmanship and inventiveness. The use of jade declined after the collapse of the Han empire and it was not until the Ming and Qing periods when jades began to circulate among affluent members of Chinese society. This fluctuation in the use of jade is reflected in the museum's collection of over 200 jades and other hardstones, which are fully illustrated in this authoritative catalogue. James C.S. Lin discusses the value and significance of jade in Chinese society; its use in burial rituals and daily life; the imperial collection from the Qing dynasty; and the present-day market for jade.

Price: US$45.00