A Lantian jade lamp, recently unveiled in a private collection in Xi'an, may shed light on the long history of Lantian jade and its culture, Chinanews.com reported.

Lantian jade was one of the earliest known varieties of jade in China and has been fashioned into precious objects for over 4000 years. But genuine and well-preserved pieces are extremely rare.

Chinanews.com said the ancient Han Dynasty lamp was discovered at the Xi'an Collection Study Institute. The lamp is about 10cm high and is in very good condition. It is exquisitely carved into a simple and elegant shape with an interesting turtle shaped pedestal.

Lantian jade comes from the Hetaogou area of Lantian County in Shaanxi Province. It was famous for its beauty as long ago as the Warring States Period (475 – 221 BC). It has wide range of colors but the most common is green.

Royal families and aristocrats of all dynasties regarded Lantian jade as one of the most valuable treasures. Emperor Qin Shihuang (the First Emperor of China) used a piece of Lantian jade as his imperial seal. Li Longji, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, once gave a piece of Lantian jade to Yang Yuhuan, his favorite concubine.

(China.org.cn by Zhang Ming'ai, October 14, 2008)