Art in Quest of Heaven and Truth Chinese Jades through the Ages

The National Palace Museum, renowned for being the "treasure house of Chinese culture" has, in addition to its great collections of paintings, calligraphy, and carvings, a unique group of ancient artifacts which are not commonly found in other institutions.

These ""ancient vessels and objects" occupy more than half of the Museum's exhibition space, ranging from jades to bronzes, ceramics and so on. Abundant in quantity and superior in quality, they are displayed chronologically and by place of origin.

The physical shapes, patterns and hues, as well as pictorial symbols and inscriptions of such antiquities not only provide the visitors with an outline of Chinese historical and cultural development, they also allow viewers to explore one deep yet implicit spiritual aspect inherent in Chinese culture, that is "Artifacts that Carry the Meaning of Dao". In other words, these objects were made to represent the metaphysical Way of Nature, or Dao.

Among in the remotest antiquity, with its messages the most mystic, its development the
them, jade emerged most continuous, and its meanings the most profound. Jades are also the most beloved objets d'art, appealing to both refined and popular tastes.