It is undeniable that the value of jade depends to a large extent on the quality of the material itself, that is, its type, water, color and texture. So does that mean that craftsmanship is unimportant? Wrong, let me tell you, what is the use of good jade carving?

The "craftsmanship" of jade refers to several aspects such as jade material selection and design, cutting proportions, carving technology and polishing technology . For plain jadeite, moderate cutting proportions and excellent polishing are required; while for carvings, more emphasis is placed on whether the jade carver's skills are superb and the conception is ingenious, etc. , which is also what ordinary people understand as work.

For jadeite, the effect of good carving is mainly reflected in three aspects.

The icing on the cake – good ingredients and good workmanship

Although there is a saying in jade carving that good jade does not need to be carved , good carving can actually add icing on the cake for good jade, especially master-level carving, which can completely elevate jade to the level of a work of art.

If the material is only good but does not have profound cultural connotations and exquisite carving skills, its collectibility and appreciation value will be greatly reduced. If it is accompanied by poor carving, it will be a waste of the material.

Turning waste into treasure - turning decay into magic

After all, high-end jadeite with good material is rare, so many jade carvers will find another way and choose some defective materials or even scraps to create their works, in order to achieve the effect of turning waste into treasure.

▲A person returning home on a snowy night

The most classic example is the piece "Returning Home on a Snowy Night" created by Master Yang Shuming. The material was originally treated as waste, full of "rice core" and "cotton", but after clever conception, it perfectly presented the artistic conception of "hearing the barking of a dog at the wooden door, and returning home on a snowy night", and also completed a counterattack in value from 100 yuan to 20,000 yuan and then to 3.6 million yuan.

Turning the Tide - Regaining a New Life

Although jadeite is a hard jade, it is relatively fragile compared to diamonds. If the material is poor, it is fine, but if the material is good, it is inevitable that it will be a pity. At this time, it can be remedied through carving, turning the tide and giving the jadeite a new life.

For example, the jadeite above was originally a statue of Guanyin. The material is very good, with a high ice luster and a strong sense of glue, but unfortunately the head is broken. If it is not treated, the whole thing will be ruined.

After carefully observing the remaining parts, the jade carver found that fortunately there were no cracks in other parts. This would provide more options when repairing and minimize the losses.

The final design repair plan is to keep the original lotus seat, and then reduce the entire figure from Guanyin to Tathagata, so that there is room for the head. After the figure proportions and layout are conceived, the remaining space is embellished and trimmed according to the height of the original sculpture...

The repaired baby Tathagata pendant shows him sitting cross-legged on a lotus seat with his eyes closed, his palms facing the sky as he casts a spell. The transparent texture and the glow make him look more divine, with smooth lines and well-proportioned proportions. The effect of the renovation can be said to be very good.

As the saying goes, “If jade is not carved, it will not become a useful object.” Another saying goes, “Three parts material and seven parts workmanship.” Good carving can be said to be the other half of jade’s life, allowing jade to realize the sublimation of its value and have unlimited possibilities.

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