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6 ? in. (16.5 cm.) long, stand
蔣康三世(1904-1978)珍藏,入藏於1958年以前。美國重要私人珍藏。
Fitting Carriage for Emperors: the Junkunc jade dragon head Jenny F. So An imposing sculpture in jade A large block of nephrite jade is shaped into the head of a menacing dragon with sharp teeth and curved fangs, accentuated by remnants of a red pigment. Above is a pointed upturned muzzle that pushes back against large round nostrils, thickly furrowed brows over the eyes, and backswept mane that ends in tight curls. All descriptive features are defined by bold incisions, executed with a confidence and directness to match the power of the dragon. A pair of ridged horns (one missing) lay back against the top of the head. A slanted rectangular trough, shallow in front and deeper at the back is hollowed out from under the block. The material is evenly pale grey-green with virtually no impurities or discolorations, remarkable for a block of jade this size. The polished surface emits a warm, smooth, and understated luminescence. A rare legacy of the Tang-dynasty Alfred Salmony regarded the Junkunc jade dragon head as “Han dynasty” while working on his manuscript before his death in 1958 (published posthumously in 1963 as Chinese Jade Through the Wei Dynasty). He could not have anticipated the discovery in 1980 of a close mate to the Junkunc dragon-head in material, size (L18 x W7.5 x H10.2 cm), and sculptural strength from the site of the former Tang-dynasty imperial pleasure park at Qujiang. The Qujiang resort was started by emperors of the Qin-Han dynasties around natural waterways on the south-eastern corner of the ancient capital Chang’an (modern-day Xi’an). The Tang Emperor Xuanzong (r. 712–756) greatly expanded its compound and facilities, turning it into one of the court’s favorite leisure escapes. It fell into disuse with the diminished power of the Tang court after the Anlushan Rebellion in 755. The 755 uprising was a devastating blow to Tang power not just politically but also economically. As a result, Tang control of the western regions was greatly reduced, affecting the supply of high quality jade from Xinjiang in Central Asia, making large jade carvings like the Junkunc dragon head virtually impossible. The scarce supply is illustrated by an unworked block of jade, that was included among the hoard buried before the late 8th century at Hejiacun, Xi’an. Comparable in size and color to the Junkunc jade dragon head (L11 x W9.5 x H7.2 cm), but of lower quality with more impurities, the jade block was included among a veritable treasure trove of over 250 gold and silver artifacts and ten sets of jade belt plaques, two pairs of jade bracelets set in gold and precious stones, and jade, rock crystal, and agate drinking vessels.The discovery of the dragon head at the Qujiang site suggests that the Junkunc dragon head could have come from a similar context during the height of Tang Xuanzong’s reign in the 8th century. That large sculptural jades were closely associated with imperial Tang structures is further illustrated by an eagle head displaying similar raw sculptural power, but in a poor quality dark green jade, recovered in 1979 from the ruins of Daming Palace, built by the Tang Emperor Taizong (627–649) in 634 in the north-eastern sector of ancient Chang’an. Daming Palace became the preferred seat of government of subsequent emperors but was destroyed in 896 during the unrest at the end of the dynasty. As the only other jade sculpture of comparable size excavated from a Tang palace site, it reinforces a likely Tang date and imperial connection for the Junkunc jade dragon head. A fitting ornament for imperial furniture and carriagesWhat prompted this extravagant expenditure of valuable material? As the first scholar to publish the Junkunc jade dragon head in the 1950s, Salmony resisted the suggestion that the jade dragon head might have been part of a