Carnelian Agate

Carnelian agate (chalcedony) is a gemstone species found exclusively in China. It is also a type of chalcedony known as “red jade” in the ancient times. Red jade, which embodies significant historical and aesthetic values, has been appraised as a national grade-one cultural relic. Over the past dynasties, the finest red agates were treasured by political rulers. Their popularity peaked in the Qing dynasty, when mining of the gemstones was temporarily halted during Emperor Qianlong’s reign, due to their severely limited deposits. This accounts for the scarcity of premium-grade red agates in the market.

Renowned Ming-dynasty geographer and traveller Xu Xiake once recorded his encounter with a gemstone of “moon-white colour tinged with red and a size no larger than a fist,” which turned out to be a piece of red agate. Yunnan province has gained considerable fame as a region of origin for red agates. Within the region, the most representative mining area is located in Ma Nao Shan of Bao An city. Red agates produced from other secondary regions, including Gansu and Sichuan, are popularly called “Gan Nan Hong.” In recent years, the discovery of high-quality red agate reserves in the Liangshan region of Sichuan province has aroused great interest among many collectors. Since then, red agate carvings of high collectible value becomes sought-after by connoisseurs. Nowadays, jewellery and carving ornaments created from premium-grade red agates are still extremely rare. Owing to their limited quantities, it is certain that the collectible value of red agates will increase progressively with time.

In Spring Auction 2015, Tiancheng International presents 2 pieces of red agate (carnelian) pieces (Lot 254 and 255) from celebrated carving master Wang Kai, a prominent representative of Shanghainese chalcedony craftsmanship. By integrating the fine aesthetic values in Chinese painting and calligraphy with chalcedony carvings, Wang skillfully renders the artistic sense of graceful charm and zen in his works.