Jade
China , The Western zhou Dynasty ( B.C. 1046- 711)

A Cong from ancient China, a jade artifact typically associated with the Liangzhu Culture (c. 3300–2300 BCE).

The cong is characterized by its tubular form with a circular hollow core and a square outer section, symbolizing the ancient Chinese cosmological belief of heaven (circle) and earth (square). Jade with natural variations of green, grey, and light pink hues, marked by darker inclusions and veins that emphasize its natural beauty and age.

The cong was a ritual object used in ceremonial contexts, often found in elite burial sites, signifying the high status of the individual and their connection to cosmological and spiritual beliefs. The combination of geometric precision and the natural jade material reflects early Chinese reverence for jade as a sacred substance.

The cong serves as both a testament to the advanced jade working techniques of the period and an enduring representation of ritualistic and cosmological symbolism in early Chinese civilization.