Nanyang Duyu (Dushan Jade)

Nanyang Duyu (Dushan Jade)

　　Located just 8 kilometers north of downtown Nanyang, Dushan Mountain is rich in high-quality jade, ranking first among China’s four famous types of jade in terms of production volume. The production of Nanyang Dushan Jade has a long history. In 1959, jade shovels and chisels made from Dushan Jade during the Shang and Warring States periods were unearthed near Dushan, proving that as early as 4,000 years ago, the ancestors of Nanyang people had already been crafting tools from this stone.

Nanyang Dushan Jade comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, boasting over 30 color types including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and more. It features bright hues, high hardness, excellent luster, fine texture, and high transparency, making it an outstanding material for jade carving that can rival jadeite. Germans once referred to it as “Nanyang Jadeite.” Nanyang jade carving primarily uses the fine jade from Dushan as its main material, along with other renowned stones from around the country and abroad, such as amethyst from Wolong District, tiger’s eye from Xichuan County, xiuyu jade from Liaoning, and hetian white jade. Jade carving products can be divided into four major categories—figures, flowers and birds, beasts, and more—totaling over 120 varieties. Through the efforts of jade carving artisans and technical experts in excavating and refining traditional techniques and drawing on external experience, the craftsmanship of Nanyang jade carving has continuously improved, gradually forming its own unique artistic style. It is world-renowned for its flexible techniques and noble coloration. The piece “Crouching Dragon Emerging from the Mountain,” crafted from Dushan Jade, takes full advantage of the stone’s rich and vividly integrated colors. With meticulous layout, clever use of color contrasts, fine carving, and a majestic presence, it weighs 3.8 tons, measures 2.5 meters in length, and stands 1.6 meters tall. It is currently the largest giant jade carving in China and is an invaluable artistic treasure. The Five-Ring Incense Burner and Flower Censer, made from carefully selected Dushan Jade, incorporate elements of ancient bronze ware and other crafts. They feature a multi-layered rotating ball flower censer design, with an elegant and dignified appearance and craftsmanship that is nothing short of miraculous. These pieces won widespread acclaim at an international arts and crafts exhibition held in France.