Flying apsaras Front

Jade carvings of people first appeared in the Neolithic period. In the Shang dynasty, carvings of people increased, whereas in the Han dynasty, dancing people and statues that were placed in front of tombs were more common. By the Tang dynasty, representations of flying apsaras appeared, and by the Song dynasty, jade carvings of children increased. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, representations of every kind of human figure could be found. In the Song dynasty, flying apsaras were usually portrayed looking straight ahead, so that the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth would be clearly represented. This gray jade figure is part of the Wangye Museum collection. The figure’s face is full of detail, the right hand is holding onto the wisp of a cloud and the left hand is wrapped around a streamer. The lower half of the body is wrapped in a skirt. The figure’s legs are crossed and feet are exposed. The posture is extended and graceful. In the philosophy of the people of the Song dynasty, the typical apsaras was represented as a normal person and surrounded by religious imagery, which represented the people’s desire for a better life.