Description
‘Dragons Chasing the Pearl’, Jade Carving
This exceptional jade carving of Dragons chasing the pearl has come from a private collection acquired a number of years ago. The carving depicts two dragons chasing the eternal flaming pearl through the heavens. This stunning work of art is full of symbolism and mythology. This depicts one of the oldest and best known legends in Chinese folklore. This museum quality carving is absolutely unique and is without doubt one of the finest pieces we have come across in the past 40 years.
The story of the dragon chasing the pearl originates in the rural province of Sze Chau in central China. It relates to hungry peasant boy called Nie Lang who is forced to climb high up into the mountains to search for grass to sell as fodder. While following a hare and he discovers a magical patch of grass which has the ability to keep replenishing itself. After several arduous journeys to collect the grass from the meadow high up in the mountains, he comes up with an idea. The plan is to dig up the grass and then to plant it closer to his house. While digging up the grass to transplant, he discovers a massive and perfectly formed pearl within the soil. He then carries the pearl home in his sack.
Nie Lang suggests to his mother that they should sell the pearl. She however disagrees, placing the pearl in their empty rice sack for safekeeping. The following morning Nie Lang finds the grass he has transplanted outside has suddenly died. His mother however finds that their rice sack is overflowing with rice. Once this has happened several more times they realise that the pearl has the ability to increase the quantity of anything it touches.
Eventually word spreads and greedy neighbours force Nie’s mother to reveal the magical ability of the pearl. Following an attack by the village bullies young Nie decides to swallow the magical pearl for safekeeping. He is then overcome with unbelievable thirst so rushes to the nearby river to drink from a small pool. Black clouds appear and thunder storms suddenly drench the arid, dusty land. On the very spot where young Nie had been standing a giant dragon appears and Nie is seen then disappearing towards the sky.
Jade comes in a vast range of other colours apart from the obvious green colouring. These additional colours can be anything from white, grey, yellow and red and surprisingly also with blue colouring. This meant that apart from decorative purposes it was also an ideal stone for tools and weapons. The earliest examples of intricately carved Jade jewellery are thousands of years old. Although the majority of Jade comes from Myanmar (Burma) and China, Jade also comes from other countries including New Zealand and Canada
Metaphysically, this is the stone of good luck and happiness. Jade is also a symbol of purity and serenity, as well as being the ultimate dream stone. Additionally it is a stone with powerful healing qualities, as well as it being a protective talisman.
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