The rising popularity of Chinese stone carvings has caused the international market to flourish dramatically over the years. These carefully crafted items, such as snuff bottles and censers, are not always sought after for their functionality, but rather for their aesthetic value.
Brought to you by Sarah Orford - Auctioneer Asion Art & Objects
1. Jade
In Chinese tradition, jade symbolises nobility and immortality. Jade is split into two different mineral forms; nephrite and jadeite. Their hardness ranges between 6 and 7 on the Mohs scale, with jadeite being slightly harder than nephrite. This means that the mineral will not scratch with metal or glass.
The physical aspects of jade can be easily confused with jade simulants, such as serpentine, bowenite and aventurine for example. In China, most green stones are referred to as jade, which references the colour ‘yu’ in Chinese, creating further confusion for potential sellers and buyers.
Another important aspect to consider when buying and selling is the colour of jade. It is not uncommon for jade stones to be colour treated, in order to enhance the colour of the stone structure. The colour of natural jade is referred to as grade A, whereas grade B and C refers to enhanced colour treatments.
2. Soapstone
Soapstone is one of the softer minerals due to its high talc content, and can scratch leaving a white residue on the surface. Its hardness ranges between 1 and 2 ½ on the Mohs scale, and it is recognised for its soapy texture. Soapstone carvings are generally less expensive, but are equally admired for their fine and quality carving.
3. Agate
Agate is a variety of chalcedony and has a hardness similar to that of jadeite. However, the mineral is characterised by a fine grain and bright colour. When cut transversely, agate stones can appear in fine parallel lines - known as banded or striped agate.
4. Malachite
Slightly softer (3 ½ to 4 on the Mohs scale), malachite is recognised as a banded mineral, featuring different tones ranging from pale green to deep green. It has a dense composition favoured by the Chinese for carvings and sculptures, however the majority of Chinese lapidary stones in malachite comes from Russia.
5. Lapis lazuli
Lapis lazuli is a deep blue semi-precious stone, admired for the intensity of its blue colour, thanks to the blue lazurite it contains. The gold flecks and inclusions associated with lapis lazuli are due to the presence of pyrite. Such carvings in blue stone are frequently confused with sodalite - named after its high sodium content. Sodalite is recognised for its darker, less-intense blue colour, and inclusions or streaks in white calcite. Mines in Afghanistan were and remain today a prime source for lapis lazuli.
Here, at Catawiki, you can find weekly Asian auctions, where you can dive into the world of Asian stone carvings and other curious Asian objects. Give it a try - visit this week's Asian Stone Carvings auction now!