The China History Podcast · Laszlo Montgomery

Laszlo and Andrew Shaw discuss the History of Jade

·38 min

Andrew Shaw, former BBC reporter turned master jade carver in China, discusses the profound history and cultural significance of jade in Chinese civilization. From stone age tools to Confucian symbols of virtue, jade has been embedded in Chinese culture for 8,000+ years. Shaw shares his journey from discovering jade in Thailand to becoming the only foreigner working as a master carver in China. He explores common Western misconceptions about jade pricing and authenticity, and discusses his recent book 'A Jade Treasury' which aims to make jade history accessible to those with passing interest. The episode weaves together personal narrative with cultural scholarship, exploring why jade became so central to Chinese identity that the character for jade is literally encoded in the country's name.

As heard by us

A tour of jade as treasure, seal, symbol, and imperial memory.

Andrew Shaw's path from BBC reporter to master carver gives the episode its center, but jade is the stronger thread, running through Chinese history, imperial power, and literature.

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Why you'd press play

You get jade, emperors, classic novels, and a Stone of Heaven with strange political power.

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