Southern Song Dynasty jade ware an exquisite imitation of ancient style

Scholars and literati in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) were keen on collecting and studying ancient artifacts, facilitating the crafting of jade ware imitating the ancient style.

This jade you bucket is a fine example of those skills, designed in the shape of a bronze wine vessel used in sacrificial ceremonies during the Shang (c.16th century-11th century BC) and Zhou (c.11th century-256 BC) dynasties. Two symmetrical square dragon-shaped ears adorned each side of its neck, under which there are two openwork chi dragons. Beast mask patterns decorate its belly.

Excavated from the tomb of Zhu Xiyan (1132-1200) and his wife in Xiuning county, Huangshan, Anhui province, in 1952, this jade you bucket, with lid absent, is in the permanent collection of the Anhui Museum.