Jade Zhang-Blade with Ivory-Carrying Figures



      Length 24.5 cm, width 6.0 cm, thickness 1.2 cm

      Made of tremolite jade, the artifact is grayish-white with reddish hues and opaque, with black stains on the surface. It has a parallelogram shape with a flat, vertical surface and upright edges. Both sides are engraved with two sets of motifs—each set composed of a kneeling figure (facing to the right), two curved incised lines (one above and one below), and three straight lines. The figure is depicted with a high crown, a prominent nose, square ears and jaws, elliptical eyes, and is attired in a long robe. Its left hand holds an object, and on its shoulder it carries an item that is pointed at the front, broad at the back, and column-shaped—resembling a complete piece of ivory. The artifact holds significant historical, artistic, and scientific value for studying the jade processing techniques and the bronze civilization of the ancient Shu people in the Chengdu region during the Shang and Zhou dynasties.