As the saying goes, "an uncut gem does not sparkle". Before the invention of metal grinding, all carving was done by hand using sandstone. The base, tube, and plate of this lamp were cut from three pieces of jade and attached together using the mortise-and-tenon technique. The process was more rigorous compared to the machine production today. Rare among jade ware in the Han dynasty, this delicate work of art embodies the exquisite craftsmanship of its time.
It is among the most representative lamp ware in early China. Modelled after a dou, a ceramic food container in the Shang and Zhou dynasties, it has a wick holder in the shape of a five-petal flower in the centre of the plate. At that time, soybean oil was used as a lamp fuel: the plate would be filled with soybean oil and a wick would be put in it, which would then be lit and replaced when it ran out. With technological advancement, electricity is used for modern lighting; we can simply turn on a light after plugging it into a power source.
The colours and patterns of jade ware vary with time and environment. If you look closely at this lamp, you will see the brownish-red pattern that looks like a blood smear. In the course of history, jade has transformed from a mineral with distinctive properties to a symbol of human civilisation. As far as we know, this lamp is a unique piece and therefore of great collection and historical value.
© The Palace Museum