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COLLECTION STORY

Jade in the Royal Collection

Vibrant jades from around the world

Three vases in archaic bronze forms carved on a stepped stand: in the centre, an incense burner, with upright handles and three animal-style feet, carved with a taotie, the domed cover with an oval button knob; to one side, a two-handled vase, also with t
Group of three small vases forming an incense set ©

Explore Jade in the Royal Collection

      Master: Dagger and scabbard©

      Jade has long been valued for its durability, vibrant colour and its strikingly tactile quality.

      In the West, jade refers to both nephrite and jadeite. Both are silicates that are formed when pre-existing rocks are buried and undergo a process of material transformation, although jadeite is both rarer and harder than nephrite.

      From an eighteenth century Indian dagger hilt to a twentieth century Fabergé elephant, via Maori weapons and Chinese imperial status symbols, the jade in the Royal Collection demonstrates the many manifestations of jade objects across centuries and cultures.

      Find out more below:

      The ruyi sceptre with undulating shaft and turned-over head. The shaft carved in relief with a lingzhi spray, and the head with a bat; the bottom pierced for attaching the yellow silk tassel, with a spray of lily, the bloom hollowed to hold a gemstone, an
      Chinese jade

      Jade has long been prized in China

      Maori pounamu

      Jade was traditionally used for high status weapons

      Bainbridge describes how, in his constant search for possible new pieces to add to Queen Alexandra’s collection, he sent photographs of Sandringham House to Fabergé. A little while later a box arrived with an enamelled view of Sandringham House and gro
      Fabergé

      Fabergé sourced local, lighter versions of nephrite

      Master: Dagger and scabbard
      Indian daggers

      Gifts given to the Prince of Wales in 1875

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      The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.