1770-1820

Hindustan jades, or jades influenced by the Mughal style, became popular under the Qianlong Emperor's reign (1736-95). The skill of Indian lapidaries made a deep impression on the Qianlong Emperor during the mid-reign, elevating these fine and intricate jade pieces to equal, and sometimes even higher status than locally carved wares. Some time around 1760, a Palace workshop known as the 'Tibetan Workshop' was established to carve such wares, and the style continued into the first half of the nineteenth century. It was revived again during the Republic period. Such wares are characterized by a unique hybrid style which incorporates complex Indian design and its preference for thinness and high polish into distinctive Chinese forms.