First Day Cover
首日封
Sobrescrito de 1.º Dia
ChinaLiangzhu Jade Artifacts
Date of Issue : 8 March 2011
2-1 : Jade Cong
2-2 : Jade Bi
The Liangzhu Culture was a Neolithic culture based in Liangzhu, Zhejiang Province, with an area of influence extending around Taihu Lake in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It is world-renowned for a plethora of unearthed jade artifacts, the most prominent of which are jade Cong (cylinders) and jade Bi (discs). Jade Cong, considered the most innovative of the Liangzhu jade culture, had a wider influence than any of its counterparts of its time. Such an object is square outside but cylindrical inside and features a design of a deity with an animal face carved with stunningly exquisite techniques that were rivaled by none in the following ages. Jade Bi, a kind with the largest quantity of excavation among Liangzhu jade artifacts, historically symbolized its owner's identity, social status and power. Objects of this kind generally have a smooth surface and rarely bear carvings or symbols, conveying certain sacred connotations.
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