Before the Han Dynasty, ancient jade carvings enjoyed a period of great popularity. However, following the late Eastern Han period, the turbulent transitions between the Three Kingdoms, and the turmoil of the Wei and Jin dynasties, marked by frequent warfare, the art of jade carving naturally declined. By the time of the Tang Dynasty, the cultural and artistic tastes had shifted, favoring items like gold and silver ware, Tang sancai pottery, and stone sculptures.

Old Zhang spoke eloquently, laying out the historical backdrop with a touch of wistfulness. "After the Song Dynasty, there's hardly any need to elaborate; it was fundamentally the age of porcelain. It wasn't until the Ming and Qing Dynasties, when society flourished and a figure like Lu Zigang emerged, that the decline in jade carving finally saw a true revival."

The attendees nodded in agreement. Who among them didn't know Lu Zigang, revered as the patriarch of jade carving? Even Wang Guan, who admitted to knowing little about ancient jade, was familiar with the famous Zigang jade and Zigang plaques.

Of course, this so-called period of decline was relative; it didn't mean that no fine jade carvings were produced then.

Take this White Jade Golden-Finial Held-Bead Buddha statue, for instance; it was already certain to be over a thousand years old. As for whether it originated in the Song, Tang, or some other era, that was for Old Zhang to determine.

"Actually, Little Gao already explained it quite clearly earlier."

After observing the jade Buddha for a moment, Old Zhang smiled faintly. "Looking at the style of the Buddha figure, the posture is naturally relaxed and expansive, possessing a strong sense of dynamism. The drapery flows smoothly, and the folds of the lower garments hang over the base like a tablecloth—these are characteristic features of the High Tang period."

With that definitive statement, all remaining doubt vanished from the crowd.

"Truly a magnificent piece," Old Zhang remarked with feeling. "To carve such a large piece of top-grade Hetian jade into a mere Buddha statuette—back then, perhaps only the Imperial House possessed such extravagance."

"During the early Tang, the ruling Li clan revered Laozi as their ancestor, thus favoring Daoism. It wasn't until the reign of Wu Zetian, driven by the political necessity of her ascension, that monks fabricated the Great Cloud Sutra, proclaiming her the incarnation of Maitreya Buddha. Consequently, Buddhism gained immense popularity during that time."

At this point, someone spoke up. "Influenced by that trend, countless large Maitreya Buddhas were made across the regions. Other Buddha figures often adopted the (full lotus) posture, much like this jade Buddha. Old Zhang, do you believe this piece dates specifically to the Wu Zhou period?"

The crowd turned to see that the speaker was none other than Fang Mingsheng. Many in the audience fell into contemplation.

Old Zhang, possessing a rather straightforward temperament, smiled upon hearing the inquiry. "Little Fang, you've researched the details quite thoroughly. This piece belongs to you, doesn't it?"

"Heh heh..."

Fang Mingsheng looked slightly awkward but readily admitted, "My apologies, Elder Zhang, for making an old hand like you laugh."

In truth, he didn't need to admit it; the others already had their suspicions. For an item of such value, who would bring it forth for display except Fang Mingsheng, the local fixture? Never mind this specific jade Buddha, or even the other collectibles displayed earlier—by observing everyone's expressions during the appraisal, everyone had a general idea of who owned what.

"It seems this year's champion is already decided," the onlookers murmured inwardly, then looked back to Old Zhang, waiting to see how he would address Fang Mingsheng's precise question.

After all, this jade Buddha was unlike the porcelain of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which often bore inscribed marks making dating relatively easy. Its chronology could only be deduced from its form and carving style. However, such deductions inevitably carried some margin of error; pinpointing an exact dynasty was difficult.

Usually, experts would only categorize pieces roughly into Early Tang, High Tang, Middle-Late Tang, or Five Dynasties. For Fang Mingsheng to demand confirmation of the Wu Zhou period was a rather tricky request.

Logically, the Wu Zhou period fell within the Early Tang scope. Yet, before Wu Zetian, there were several emperors: Gaozu, Taizong, Gaozong, Zhongzong, and Ruizong. Thus, the Wu Zhou era was technically a transition between the Early Tang and the High Tang.

The stylistic features of Buddhist sculptures during this time blended characteristics of the Early Tang with the emerging traits of the High Tang, making the era's signature features indistinct and thus exceptionally hard to judge and differentiate.

Even an appraisal master like Old Zhang paused for a moment before carefully choosing his words and speaking slowly. "Because the Tang imperial family shared the surname Li, they held Daoism in high esteem. However, this does not mean Buddhism ceased to exist. Although Gaozu Li Yuan and Taizong Li Shimin frequently suppressed Buddhism during their reigns, by the time Li Shimin secured his throne and in his later years, the pressure on the Buddhist establishment was significantly relaxed."

"For example, after Empress Zhangsun passed away, Emperor Taizong commissioned a pagoda for her. Furthermore, after the renowned Xuanzang returned from the Western Regions, Emperor Taizong ordered him to translate Buddhist scriptures..." Old Zhang spoke with gravity. "Therefore, we cannot assume that because the Early Tang emperors favored Daoism, Buddhism was annihilated and that no devotional jade Buddha carvings existed."

"That is the cultural context. Now, let us return to the style of this jade Buddha."

After repeatedly examining the piece, Old Zhang deliberated before stating, "Early Tang Buddha figures generally retained the stylistic vestiges of the Sui Dynasty carvings: the figures were often plump and robust, the head slightly oversized relative to the somewhat shorter body, and the facial features full and tending toward square."

"The High Tang period, however, is considered the golden age of Buddhist sculpture. Figures from this era possessed harmonious proportions and rational structure, having completely shed the somewhat stiff feeling and oversized heads prevalent in the Sui and Early Tang periods; the dynamism was extremely free and lively..."

"In my view, the style of this jade Buddha is indeed a transitional form, situated between the Early and High Tang periods."

Hearing this, Fang Mingsheng's face lit up with joy. However, Old Zhang introduced a pivot. "But, everyone should know, such a transition is not achieved overnight; it requires several decades to complete. Therefore, I cannot definitively state that this Buddha statue must be from the Wu Zhou period. It could potentially date to the reigns of Zhongzong or Gaozong."

"Ah..."

Fang Mingsheng sighed with a hint of disappointment, yet his smile was primarily one of elation. After all, judging by Old Zhang's reaction and that of the others, his jade Buddha had already created a sensation, and winning the Treasure Appraisal championship seemed virtually certain.

"It is a superb piece. Everyone, take another look," Old Zhang said with a smile. "Otherwise, once the exchange meeting concludes, this piece will be put away, and not everyone will have the chance to see it again."

"Elder Zhang, what you say!" Fang Mingsheng laughed. "If you wish to see it, how would I dare refuse you entry?"

Well, he didn't dare refuse Old Zhang, but he did dare refuse the rest of them.

In an instant, the crowd surged forward again toward the display stand. However, under Old Zhang's guidance, order was maintained. A few people would observe and admire the piece for a few minutes before consciously stepping back.

After a short while, Wang Guan followed closely behind Gao Dequan, viewing the jade Buddha from a close distance.

While appreciating the exquisite craftsmanship of the Buddha, Wang Guan mused inwardly that such a large piece of Hetian jade, having accumulated the essence of a thousand years, must contain an immensely potent spiritual aura.

At that moment, Wang Guan quietly activated his special ability. As he absorbed the spiritual energy, he also scrutinized every part of the jade Buddha from various angles through the visual projection.

Suddenly, a sharp glint flashed in Wang Guan's eyes, as if he had spotted some peculiar trace upon the body of the jade Buddha... .................. Thanks to book friends Youyou Baidu, Pang Liang, Thank you 1972, and ngstone for your tips. I continue to ask for your collection and recommendation votes for support.