C6 Under the Jade Ring of Emperor Qianlong

Yuh Wenming presented the Jade Ring to Mr. Yuen Chong.

Whether familiar or not, those in the old gentleman's presence would invariably learn a thing or two.

This individual began his foray into the antiques trade at the tender age of thirteen under the tutelage of his master.

He rose from obscurity to prominence swiftly, only to later be pursued by others as he lost everything.

Yet, it was this very person who, through the rough and tumble of the antiques world, managed to rise again and earn the moniker of one of the industry's greats.

To the average person, he was the stuff of legends; to those within the trade, he was an icon.

Moreover, having an item authenticated by such a venerable expert could multiply its credibility manifold.

Should the esteemed Old Tai Shan deem an item of value, its price could potentially double.

Jiaang Han's Blue and White Porcelain was also entrusted to Old Tai Shan.

Soon after, they observed him examining it closely with an aged magnifying glass.

"Jingde Town Blue and White Porcelain is among China's renowned traditional ceramics. As a distinctive product of Jiangxi, it's hailed as a treasure of the world in Jingde Town."

"Originating in the Yuan Dynasty, Jingde Town Blue and White Porcelain reached its zenith during the Ming and Qing dynasties."

"Its creation involves using cobalt oxide to paint patterns on the raw body, followed by a single high-temperature firing after glazing, resulting in a harmonious blue and white finish that is both pleasing and enduringly beautiful."

"Also referred to as 'white ground blue and white porcelain,' it's commonly abbreviated to 'blue and white.'"

"The blue and white style involves applying natural cobalt to white clay, coating it with a clear glaze, and firing it at approximately 1300 degrees Celsius. This process allows the pigment to penetrate the glaze thoroughly, producing a lush, dripping blue pattern that is both subtle and elegantly clear."

Yuen Chong examined the Blue and White Porcelain, sharing insights into the origins and crafting techniques of Jingde Town's celebrated ceramics.

Those gathered listened intently, nodding in silent acknowledgment. Whether the information was well-known or new to those recently acquainted with antiques, it was all part of a valuable learning experience. For this, many held Old Tai Shan, Yuen Chong, in high regard.

"This Song Dynasty Blue and White Porcelain varies in texture—some pieces are coarser, while others are finer. The motifs include chrysanthemum, circular, string, and line patterns, among others."

"The coloration of the blue and white on the porcelain is denser and darker in some areas, lighter in others. The darker hue likely indicates that the transparent glaze covering was applied too thinly."

"There are numerous classifications for Blue and White Porcelain. By shape alone, there are many varieties, and when considering craftsmanship and purpose, the categories expand even further. Simply put, they can be divided into antique-style Blue and White Porcelain and modern Blue and White Porcelain."

"Blue and White Porcelain exhibits distinct characteristics across different periods. Modern Blue and White Porcelain not only preserves the delicate craftsmanship of ancient times but also introduces innovative elements."

"Functionally, modern Blue and White Porcelain can be categorized into three types: everyday porcelain, antique-style porcelain, and artistic porcelain."

"Decoratively, Blue and White Porcelain is often paired with underglaze red, colored glazes, famille rose, traditional colors, contemporary colors, and filigree, among others. These combinations enhance each other, resulting in styles such as blue and white doucai (where the blue sections are first applied directly onto the bisque with blue and white glaze, leaving spaces white, which are then painted with overglaze colors and fired again) and blue and white underglaze red (created by painting designs with copper oxide on the bisque, then covering with a clear glaze and firing in a high-temperature reducing atmosphere to achieve a red decoration beneath the glaze)."

"The porcelain craftsmanship of Jingdezhen involves 72 steps, and the process for Blue and White Porcelain is largely equivalent to that of Jingdezhen's standard porcelain production."

"The preciousness of Blue and White Porcelain is rooted in its artistic design, cultural significance, and the artistry it embodies. Its success rate is influenced by numerous details, including the development of the blue color, kiln temperature, glaze thickness, and glaze selection. These many variables contribute to the low success rate of Blue and White Porcelain, making it exceedingly valuable."

"This piece is an authentic Jingdezhen imitation of Song Dynasty Blue and White Porcelain, though the artificial aging technique used is somewhat crude. It was unearthed after just two months buried in a special clay."

"The market value of this Blue and White Porcelain hovers around 1,000 yuan."

After examining the piece, Mr. Yuen Chong handed the porcelain back to Jiaang Han and proceeded to scrutinize Yuh Wenming's Jade Ring with a magnifying glass.

"This Jade Ring, also known as a 'Jade Archer's Thumb Ring' or 'Jade Tao'—pronounced the same as 'shoot'—was originally a tool for drawing a bowstring during archery. It was worn on the archer's right thumb to protect it from the bowstring's abrasion."

"Over time, it has come to symbolize decision-making authority and status."

"The palace reportedly houses hundreds of rings, including jade, wood, and gold varieties, with jade rings alone numbering over a hundred."

"Rings have been found dating back to the late Neolithic and Shang-Zhou periods. Initially, some were made from softer materials like leather, with only the higher-quality ones crafted from harder substances."

"As Zhang Guangwen explains, the materials and designs of the rings evolved with the times, varying across dynasties. For example, the Shang Dynasty's Jade Rings still served to protect the fingers while drawing a bow, were longer than later versions, and featured grooves."

"By the Warring States period, they had become shorter. In the Han Dynasty, the shape of the Jade Ring transitioned to a jade plaque, akin to a jade pendant, complete with a small hook for pulling the string. However, by this time, the rings could no longer endure the force of drawing a bow."

"The Song Dynasty saw the emergence of rings that mimicked Han styles, with a variety of shapes including flat and short cylindrical forms. By the Qing Dynasty, the rings had evolved into round cylinders with one end concave and the other protruding. Their smoother, more polished materials made them impractical for archery, transforming them into symbols of decoration, status, and fashion."

"Given these characteristics, this Jade Ring appears to be a Qing Dynasty artifact. What's particularly intriguing is the Manchu inscription on it—a rare feature."

"Typically, jade rings bear inscriptions in Chinese script. A ring inscribed in Manchu script would almost certainly have belonged to a prince or someone of higher rank. This particular piece is coated in a layer of wax, which gives it a yellowish appearance, yet the interior remains in excellent condition."

Yuen Chong's face lit up with excitement as he said to Yuh Wenming, "Young man, you've got a keen eye. You might just have found something special."

"Bring the wine," Yuen Chong called out to Fifth Lord.

Without hesitation, Fifth Lord received a bottle of white wine from one of his men. Yuen Chong then took a silk cloth, dipped it in the wine, and began to meticulously clean the item.

In a quarter of an hour, Yuen Chong had the Jade Ring sparkling clean. The ring was a pure white, with the characters for "Qianlong" etched into it.

Upon revealing the full glory of the Jade Ring, Yuen Chong couldn't contain his surprise, exclaiming, "Incredible! To think that a Jade Ring from the Qianlong era had been out there, undiscovered. Young man, well done, this is a fine piece of excellent quality."