Period:Neolithic Period Production date:1644-1911
Materials:jade
Technique:
Dimensions:Height: 20.60 centimetres
Description:
Cong. Made of jade.
IMG
![图片[1]-cong BM-OA+.112-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Neolithic Period/Jades/mid_00309745_001.jpg)
![图片[2]-cong BM-OA+.112-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Neolithic Period/Jades/mid_01048417_001.jpg)
Comments:Jones 1990Qing dynasty jade tube (cong)Until the last few decades the date and origin of these tall jade tubes were unknown. Square in cross-section and pierced through their entire length with a circular hole, they were known to later scholars as cong. They were paired with jade discs, known as bi (see registration no. 1945,1017.107), and were thought to represent Earth and Heaven respectively. There is no evidence to support this supposition. Early cong and bi have now been discovered in profusion in Neolithic tombs of the Liangzhu culture (c. 2500 BC) in south-east China. In rich burials large numbers of cong, bi and axes were arranged on the bodies of the dead. Because many cong were used in a single burial, if just one such burial had been found it would have supplied numerous examples for collectors. For this reason a relatively obscure Neolithic jade type was a much sought-after item. This jade is a rather clumsy reworking of the original Neolithic model. It tapers more sharply from top to bottom than ancient pieces and the schematic faces at the corners are rather roughly incised. Such pieces seem likely to have been made to satisfy the demand for antiquities. Plenty of examples were illustrated in books of ancient bronzes and jades to provide models for craftsmen.
Materials:jade
Technique:
Dimensions:Height: 20.60 centimetres
Description:
Cong. Made of jade.
IMG
Comments:Jones 1990Qing dynasty jade tube (cong)Until the last few decades the date and origin of these tall jade tubes were unknown. Square in cross-section and pierced through their entire length with a circular hole, they were known to later scholars as cong. They were paired with jade discs, known as bi (see registration no. 1945,1017.107), and were thought to represent Earth and Heaven respectively. There is no evidence to support this supposition. Early cong and bi have now been discovered in profusion in Neolithic tombs of the Liangzhu culture (c. 2500 BC) in south-east China. In rich burials large numbers of cong, bi and axes were arranged on the bodies of the dead. Because many cong were used in a single burial, if just one such burial had been found it would have supplied numerous examples for collectors. For this reason a relatively obscure Neolithic jade type was a much sought-after item. This jade is a rather clumsy reworking of the original Neolithic model. It tapers more sharply from top to bottom than ancient pieces and the schematic faces at the corners are rather roughly incised. Such pieces seem likely to have been made to satisfy the demand for antiquities. Plenty of examples were illustrated in books of ancient bronzes and jades to provide models for craftsmen.
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