The value of jades, China's imperial symbol

Jade: a stone of belief

This semi-precious stone, which can be found in the four corners of the globe, is mined in the mountain ranges of China, Guatemala, Russia and Burma. Jade, used for the manufacture ofartifacts in these different civilizations, will however have a most prestigious destiny in theMiddle Kingdom. 

Used sinceancient times, jade has the particularity of being a material that is both hard to cut and very fragile. These characteristics make the pieces made of jade, rare and complex objects, that the Chinese elites appropriate as clothing ornaments and small decorative objects. Moreover, the Chinese civilization finds magical properties in things of nature: jade is not in rest. Stone of purity and virtue, it would have been scattered by the creator of humanity, Nuwa, on the planet to bring beauty and prosperity, like pearls and other precious stones.

From these ancestral traditions are born beliefs that endure in the contemporary history of China. Jade gives rhythm to the life of the Chinese people: it is used during liturgical and funeral ceremonies, and is also used as a remedy by healers to cure various ailments.

Its prestige precedes it and jade quickly becomes an imperial symbol. The Emperor's sceptre - also called Ruyi - is made of this material; the same goes for diplomatic gifts and objects for scholars. In fact, jade has an undeniable aura and is still sought after by the Chinese for its virtues.

Rating and value of Chinese jade pieces

These price estimates are general and may vary according to many factors, such as jade quality, color, transparency, size, provenance, dating, craftsmanship and authenticity of the piece. Chinese jades, prized for millennia as symbols of status, beauty and spirituality, can fetch significant prices on the art market. To obtain an accurate assessment of the value of a specific jade, only an auctioneer can provide you with a reliable estimate.

Appraising a jade object

The object appraised here comes from these far-off lands and bears witness to this jade craze. Depicting a stylized deer, it is carved from a pale green jade known as " Celadon ". It's used as a little grigri, to be carried in the pocket to enjoy its daily benefits. Made in the 19th century, it is inspired by jades made in the 17th century under the Ming.

Estimated between 200 and 300 euros by our auctioneer, it could get a nice result at auction: Asian artworks often generate strong surprises, and estimates are sometimes multiplied by 10. The auction is thus the best way to determine its fair price... Let's hope that our collector will know the prosperity of jade if he decides to part with it!