Jade is loosely understood in China as the collective name for most precious stones, and jade carving in this sense is an important part of Chinese arts and crafts. The love of jade ware, according to Dr. Joseph Needham, the noted British naturalist, has been one of the cultural traits of China. jade tools have been found among the archaeological remains dating from the Stone Age. There are, however, no evidence to indicate that neolithic people attached a great value for the consumer jade, they chose jade only because it was hard and good for making tools and fighting weapons. As time passed, people gradually came to appreciate the beauty of the stone, which after carving and polishing things could become not only useful but pleasing to the eye.
In the historical era is replaced slave society of feudal society, jade articles was established as objects of pure decoration. Among the funerary objects unearthed from tombs of that period are many jade articles used as personal ornaments or ceremonial vessels. The jade exhibits one sees today in museums in the country normally comprise vases, incense burners, tripods, cups and wine glasses of different nature.