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Soul of Jade: The Culture of Ancient Jade and Its Collection Among Overseas Chinese

玉魂——古玉文化与海外华人收藏

March 29, 2025

2:00 - 4:00 PM ET

Location: China Institute in America, 40 Rector Street, Second Floor

For overseas Chinese, ancient jade is more than just a collectible—it is a bridge to their ancestral heritage, carrying deep family memories and cultural connections to their homeland. The appreciation, study, and collection of ancient jade allow collectors to immerse themselves in the profound traditions of Chinese civilization while expressing nostalgia for their roots and loved ones.

In recent years, the market for ancient jade has gained increasing recognition, with more collectors acknowledging its historical, artistic, and investment value. For many overseas Chinese, jade collecting serves both as a means of cultural preservation and an emotional bond to their origins. From the revered “stone of beauty” to the legendary “spiritual jade,” China’s 8,000-year jade culture embodies a legacy of artistic refinement and deep cultural significance.

The Renwen Society at China Institute is honored to present a special lecture, Soul of Jade: The Culture of Ancient Jade and Its Collection Among Overseas Chinese, by Dr. Jeff Yeh (叶凌宇), an esteemed jade collector and expert. The lecture will take place on Saturday, March 29, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at China Institute in America.

Dr. Yeh will explore the following topics:

  1. The history, culture, artistry, and rarity of ancient jade
  2. Overseas collections of ancient jade—from museums to private research
  3. The rising interest in early-period jade—its trade, exchange, and investment potential
  4. Personal experiences, challenges, and insights into jade collecting

In the course of the lecture, Dr. Yeh will also showcase some of the most treasured pieces from his private collection, offering attendees a rare opportunity to appreciate these remarkable artifacts up close.

This lecture will provide a unique opportunity for attendees to deepen their understanding of ancient jade’s historical and cultural value while exploring its role in bridging Chinese heritage with a global audience.

Join us for this enlightening discussion and discover the timeless allure of ancient jade!

对于身处异国他乡的华人来说,承载着家族记忆和情感的古玉,是一种与故土文化保持联系的方式。通过收藏和研究古玉,感受中华文化的深厚底蕴,寄托对故乡和亲人的思念。近年来,随着古玉市场的升温,古玉的收藏价值逐渐被认可。海外华人中也有不少人将古玉视为一种投资手段。

对于海外华人来说,古玉收藏既是一种文化传承,也是一种情感寄托,从“石之美者”到“通灵之玉”,八千年玉文化承载着文化的传承与精神的寄托。讲座通过收藏和研究古玉,海外华人能够更好地理解中华文化的深厚底蕴,并在全球范围内推广这一独特的文化遗产。通过此次古玉收藏的文化交流与推广,帮助更多人了解古玉价值,让古玉不仅成为海外华人文化认同的重要载体,也成为连接中外文化的桥梁。

华美人文学会特邀古玉鉴藏家叶凌宇(Jeff Yeh)博士于3月29日(周六)下午2时至4时在华美协进社做《玉魂——古玉文化与海外华人收藏》专题讲座,讲座内容包括:

  1. 古玉的历史、文化、艺术、稀缺价值
  2. 海外古玉收藏——从博物馆收藏到研究
  3. 高古玉热——高古玉的交流、交易与投资
  4. 古玉收藏的经历、交流与挑战

叶凌宇博士在讲座过程中还将展示他的收藏的一些传世珍宝。


China Institute’s cultural programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Speaker
Jeff Yeh 叶凌宇

Dr. Jeff Yeh is the owner of Yuyu Pavilion (玉宇阁) and a successful entrepreneur. His family’s esteemed jade collection, housed at Yuyu Pavilion, encompasses some of the most significant pieces from China’s golden eras of jade artistry. The collection includes ceremonial objects, vessels, and intricate sculptures, predominantly made of rare Hetian yellow jade and top-grade mutton-fat white jade. Many of these pieces are extraordinary in their craftsmanship and rarity, making Yuyu Pavilion one of the most distinguished overseas collections of ancient Chinese jade.

叶凌宇(Jeff Yeh)博士,古玉鉴藏家,“玉宇阁”主人及企业家。他所属的美东叶氏家族“玉宇阁”所藏的高古玉涵盖了中国古代玉器最重要的黄金时代及主要的规制形式,多以器皿、礼器和圆雕为主,且玉料以新疆和田黄玉及羊脂白玉为多,许多实为难得一见之绝品,其藏品之精稀绝,实为海外之罕见。

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