Skilled craftsmen created this highly detailed Chi-Lin (aka Dragon Horse) from a special category of Nephrite jade, also known as Xiu or Xiuyan jade. Not quite as hard as other Nephrites, it was mined from Xiuyan City in LiaoNing Province in NE China.
Harder nephrite is difficult to carve with this much detail. Hence Xiu jade, somewhat rare, is soft enough to yield this level of detail and depth. Notice the milky – yet shiny – luster emphasizing the detail depending on the direction of the light nearby.
The village of artisans are within Xiuyan City, near the mines. No two carvings from this village are alike.
Check out the details on the horns or the hood that overlaps the spine. It’s all in the detail!
The base is carefully crafted from a piece of wood that is finished for the jade to stand upon. Layers of clear lacquer are applied. The base is a piece of art in its own right.
A stunning centerpiece for a coffee table or entry table… or if you have a massive desk, here you go!
Xiu Nephrite for the Serious Collector.