羊脂级籽料坠

“From the mid-Qing dynasty or earlier, this pendant is carved from high-grade mutton-fat jade, realistically depicting a mushroom. The texture of the mushroom’s stem and the uneven surface of its cap are lifelike. At the top of the mushroom is a Ganoderma lucidum (lingzhi) shaped like a ruyi scepter, and crawling on the lower front of the mushroom is a beetle. The accuracy of the jade carving, along with the fluidity of its lines, could only be achieved by a master painter. Considering the hardness of the Hetian jade and the use of traditional hand tools for such an intricate design, the craftsmanship is nothing short of miraculous, likely beyond the reach of anyone outside the imperial court or specialized artisans’ lanes. Throughout China’s 5,000-year history, which is also a history of jade culture, the 18th century under Emperor Qianlong marked a peak in craftsmanship, aesthetics, and the pursuit of jade quality, unparalleled in history. This seed-material white jade pendant, symbolizing successful imperial examinations (beetle), smooth career (lingzhi ruyi), and vibrant life (mushroom), is an excellent representative of the court nobility’s jade culture of that era. It measures approximately 5.6 cm in length and weighs about 20.6 grams.”