Jade cicada, Western Han dynasty (206 BCE-8 CE)
- Image Number: C1C000434N000000000PAB
- Dynasty: Western Han dynasty
- Category: Jades
- Function: Costumes, accessories, and artifacts
- Material: Minerals/Jade Jewelry/Jade
- Description:
Jade, bluish white part is translucent, with ochre spots. The whole vessel is cicada shaped, with thick center and thin tail. An elephant trunk pierces the top. The whole device has simple lines, and the head, neck, wings and abdomen are carved out. Most of the jade cicadas in the Han Dynasty are dark green jade, and the workmanship is simple. This is because the function of the cicadas is to place them in the mouth of the deceased nobles in order to become the funeral jade of rebirth. Therefore, the selection and polishing methods are customized. Because of the way of use, the cicada does not need to be tied and pierced. The piercing of this jade cicada is the reason why later generations did not know the original function of the cicada and changed it to wear a jade pendant.
Pictures & Images [HD] download
© Copyright
The copyright of the article belongs to the author, please keep the original link for reprinting.
THE END