Carving out a symbol of virtue

Editor's note: Traditional arts and crafts are supreme examples of Chinese cultural heritage. China Daily publishes this series to show how master artisans are using dedication and innovation to inject new life into heritage. In this installment, we find out how the craftsmanship of jade carving still thrives in modern times.

A jadeite miniature of Taishan Mountain, majestic yet intricately detailed, faithfully conveys the grandeur of the spot that has captivated ancient Chinese emperors and literati of the past and today. The mountain located in East China's Shandong province was not only a symbol of the pinnacle of feudal power in ancient times, but also an inexhaustible source of inspiration for those holding the pen. Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Du Fu once wrote, "Nature's wonders in divine chime. Day and night, they slice time."

And such ingenious workmanship of nature has found its inheritance in this massive man-made jadeite piece on permanent display at the Chinese Traditional Culture Museum in Beijing.

The essence of the jadeite's texture and the exquisite craftsmanship of jade carving run parallel in this masterpiece.

From the east the sun rises, splitting the cloud-enveloped mountain into the sunlit side and the shaded side. Verdant woods shelter the flowing water, bridges and winding trails, where 64 figures, nine deer, nine cranes and three goats find joy and peace.

Major scenic spots of Taishan Mountain are vividly adapted to this miniature.

Jade artisans have made full use of the raw stone's original shape, veining and color.

The light green part was carved into the sunlit side, with economical strokes to resemble the sheer cliffs while presenting the jadeite's natural beauty.

The shaded side, however, displays a darker bluish-gray color. This is where Du's poem is inscribed, above which two gliding cranes enjoy the sun.

Both the glowing sun and the cranes are skillfully made from impurities in the jade stone. The technique qiaose dates back to the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC) and is one of the most commonly applied methods in jade carving to reflect the artisans' ingenuity.

Column: Hands of Time

See also: Suzhou's master artisans strive to revive delicate authenticity