History and Literature

Jade Phoenix from the Tomb of Fuhao

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In 1976, a jade phoenix was unearthed from the tomb of Fuhao in the ruins of the Yin Dynasty. It is the earliest jade phoenix found so far and also the most exquisite piece of all jade ornaments from the tomb. Legend has it that Yin Qi was the descendent of the phoenix, because his mother Jian Di got pregnant with him after eating phoenix eggs. So people of the Yin Dynasty all considered themselves the offspring of the phoenix.
The jade phoenix is 13.6 cm long and 0.7 cm thick. It’s yellowish-brown, beautiful and delicate. The jade material is glittering and translucent. Wearing a crown, the phoenix has round eyes and a sharp beak. Its whole body is in a “C“ shape, with its head turning back, short wings hanging down and the long tail branching off. In the waist, there’s a raised button with a hole, presumably for pulling a thread for hanging. The jade piece outlines the image of a phoenix with precision, with a focus on the head and tail. There are few carved lines in the body. The whole sculpture has graceful lines, brimming over with vitality. It may be the image of a legendary animal, but it’s endearing and cute.
The jade phoenix is a rare treasure of jade pieces of the Shang Dynasty, also the representative work of early phoenix pieces. It bears great resemblance to the character of phoenix in the oracle inscriptions of the Shang Dynasty, serving as a precious material for the research of phoenix worship in the Shang Dynasty.

The Tomb of Fu Hao

The Tomb of Fu Hao is a burial chamber of a Shang queen that was unearthed in Yin Ruins by Chinese archaeologists in 1976.

Fu Hao

Fu Hao

Fu Hao was the wife of Wu Ding (the 23rd Emperor of the Shang Dynasty) with the posthumous title "Xin".
Owl-shaped Bronze Vessel of Zun

Owl-shaped Bronze Vessel of Zun

Owl-shaped bronze vessel was found at the Fuhao tomb of the Yin ruins, Anyang, in Henan province.
Bronze Tomahawks

Bronze Tomahawks

Daggers, tomahawks, and arrowheads are among the weapons excavated, among which two big bronze tomahawks with the inscription ¡°Fu Hao¡° are most attention-getting.
A Bronze Dagger With a Jade Handle

A Bronze Dagger With a Jade Handle

The Jade handle is quite thin and fragile, apparently not a utility.
Square Ding with Flat Foot

Square Ding with Flat Foot

A kind of cooking utensil in the late Shang dynasty, the Ding is 42.4 centimeters in length and its mouth is 33.3 centimeters in width.
A Jade Woman kneeling down

A Jade Woman kneeling down

This jade woman holding her knee and sitting on her legs is believed to be the image of Fuhao.
Sitting Human Figure Pendant Made of Gray Jade

Sitting Human Figure Pendant Made of Gray Jade

This is the image of a slave, featuring a face similar to that of a monkey, wide forehead, garlic-like nose and small mouth.
A Jade Figure of Hermaphrodite

A Jade Figure of Hermaphrodite

Naked and light grey, the jade figure is standing with one side being male and the other being female.
Ivory Cup

Ivory Cup

Made of the root of a tusk, the ivory cup is shaped like a wine vessel, with a dragon-shaped handle leveling with one side.
Owl-Shaped Ornament

Owl-Shaped Ornament

This ornament was unearthed from the tomb of Fu Hao, a consort of King Wu Ding of the Shang Dynasty.