Product Description

Prized the world over, jade has been considered a sacred stone with miraculous powers since prehistoric times. In ancient China, jade was regarded as the most important physical substance on earth. This invaluable book traces the chronological use of jade carvings in China, including primitive utilitarian tools, fascinating ceremonial objects, beautiful ornaments, and intricately designed sculptures. Lavishly illustrated with over 900 color photographs, it features a wide diversity of examples and helps today's collector identify different types of jade and their period of carving -- ranging from neolithic times through the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). Also discussed in less detail are jade carvings from India, New Zealand, and pre-Columbian civilizations such as the Mayan, Toltec, and Aztec. Tips for determining the age and authenticity of jade carvings are provided, along with current values for all items illustrated. This indispensable reference will appeal to all collectors and admirers of jade and the Oriental arts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1007495 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

Customer Reviews

Vanity book on jade
I ordered this book hoping that it would attempt to provide a reference tool on authentication, dating and typology of jade for Western collectors. Such books exist in Chinese language, although they tend to be overly subjective, written by collectors, or narrowly academic, written by academics. There are also Chinese-language references for the general public that are simplistic and lacking in the most basic grounding in history and academic references.

This turns out to be a highly subjective book by an amateur Western collector with little or no knowledge of the extensive bibliography on jade in Western languages, let alone Chinese. I am tempted to throw this book away. Almost all of the jade illustrated is fake or very crude, or misattributed (Liangzhu culture to Shang, for example). Here and there an interesting piece sneaks in but this author would not be able to identify it or tell the reader what makes it interesting.

About the only redeeming feature of the book is an introduction in which Mr. Veleanu talks about his own life experience and how he came, quite late in life, to an interest in jade. I only hope that he applied more rigor to his studies of medicine than he does to his research on jade.

Edith Terry
Hong Kogn

Jade: 5000 B.C. to 1912 A.D., a Guide for Collectors
I found Veleanu's well organized, well written book to be an invaluable tool for identifying Chinese jades. Each period/dynasty has its own chapter with an abundance of photos. There are also chapters on ornamental jade, coinage and seals, Buddhist carvings, and funerary jade. "Part I: Overview" is a must read.

Jade 5000 BC to 1912 AD
Fantastic book for viewing, study and research. We purchased one in October and second for a Christmas gift. Wonderful.