Jade carving is the process by which the surface of jade stone is embellished through abrasion. The earliest known carved jades were made in China during the New Stone Age, or Neolithic period. Neolithic jades were usually fashioned as blades, although it is unclear whether they served a utilitarian or ceremonial function.
Excavations conducted at sites settled during the Shang dynasty have yielded a number of carved jades in a variety of forms. Certain shapes predominate, such as the round disk (pi), the ax (kuei), and a cylindrical tube (tsung). These objects probably served a ritual function, either as symbols of rank or as grave furnishings. The most beautiful examples of Shang jade carving, however, are small sculptures and plaques. The discovery, in 1975, of an undisturbed tomb from the Anyang era of the Shang dynasty has yielded the richest group of jade carvings to date. The excavation revealed plaques depicting dragons and various birds, along with near-miniature sculptures of human figures, mythical creatures, and recognisable animals, including an elephant.
The achievements of the Shang jade carvers were adopted and ultimately surpassed by artists of the Chou dynasty. Surface decoration became increasingly sophisticated, with open- work featuring birds and dragons, as well as tiny, individually carved curls. The development of the iron drill is probably responsible for the technical advancements seen in the carvings of this period. Elaborate jade carving continued in popularity during the Han dynasty; in addition, a most notable jade artefact was the so-called funerary suit. Various excavations have yielded corpses encased in a jade form made of thousands of rectangular pieces of jade, sewn together with gold thread, and fitted to the body. Other small jades, previously objects for burial, were now fashioned for the uses of the living. Toilet boxes, drinking vessels, and delightful adornments for the scholar's desk have been preserved from the Han period.
The dating of jade carvings from after the Han dynasty through the Ch'ing dynasty has been highly problematic, as the archaeological evidence is often incomplete. Throughout this period, however, small decorative forms of jade, often depicting animals, flowers, or children, continued in popularity. T'ang and Sung carvers favoured small figures. Drinking and desk vessels, and jadejewellery as well, were widely produced in the Yuan and Ming epochs. During the Ch'ing period, particularly in the 18th century, large jade carvings attained great favour with the emperors and royal officials. Forms were often taken from ancient bronze vessels, reflecting the continuing interest in early art. Landscapes, often paralleling those found on carved bamboo or in paintings, were carefully transcribed onto the surface of enormous jade slabs. Much of this intricacy is still found in Chinese jade work today; traditional design motifs and carving styles also have been retained. China's continuous interest in jade carving was never found in other Asian nations.
The Indians practised a degree of jade work, most notably the Islamic Mughals, who favoured ceremonial weapons with highly decorative jade blades. The most important centre of jade carving outside the Orient was pre-Columbian Mexico and Central America under the Olmec, Aztec, and Mayan rulers. Splendid ceremonial objects-axes, knives, masks, and large animal figures-were produced; the objects are sophisticated in style and highly advanced in technique. Research Jade Carving
The Kun Ming is a French built Taiwanese Kang Ding Class frigate based upon the French La Fayette Class of frigates. The Kang Ding Class frigates differ from the French La Fayette Class in both structure and weapons systems. The ship's anti-submarine capability has been considerably enhanced (in line with the perceived Chinese submarine threat, especially after their acquisition of Kilo Class submarines). Additional guns have also been fitted. The ship is designed to carry one Sikorsky S-70C(M)1 ASWhelicopter. There is no launch hatch for rigid inflatable boats. The ship displaces 3,500 tons fully loaded, and has dimensions of 125m x 15. 4m x 4m. With a maximum speed of 25 knots, it has a range of 7,000 nautical miles at 15 knots. The ship can accommodate a complement of 134 (including 15 officers), plus there are 25 spare accommodation places. The ship is armed with eight Taiwanese-designed Hsiung Feng II (2 x four-cell) surface-to-surface missiles, one Sea Chaparral surface-to-air four-cell launcher, an Otobreda 76mm/62 Mk-75 main
gun, two Bofors 40mm/70 guns, one Raytheon/General Dynamics 20mm/76 Phalanx Mk 15 Mod 2 close-in weapon system (CIWS), 6-324mm Mk 32 (2 triple) torpedo tubes and Alliant Techsystems Mk 36 Mod-5 torpedoes. Research Kun Ming
The Ming Chuen was a Chinese gunboat of 550 tons displacement launched in 1929. the Ming Chuen was powered by coal-fired boilers providing a top speed of 17 knots and carried a complement of 115. She was armed with one 4.7 inch gun; one 4 inch gun; one 3 inch anti-aircraft gun; two 6 pdr guns; one 1 pdr pompom gun and four machine-guns. Research Ming Chuen
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