Han to Song Chinese Jades

Abstract

With the exception of the Han Dynasty, from which there are quite a number of archaeological jades from documented excavations, there are very few jades from such sources for most of the long Han to Song period (206 BC to AD 1279). The traditional Chinese source of nephrite was the region around Khotan (Hetian) and its neighbour Yarkand, far to the west of Chinese-controlled territory and during this period under the direct control of tribes who were frequently hostile to China. Further, the very nomadic nature of their existence brought these tribes into violent contact with their neighbours and, in consequence, the trade in jade was subject to frequent and lengthy interruptions as a result of disturbances along the trade routes leading from Khotan to China.