This piece of exquisitely carved and lighter-hued jade is reminiscent of the 3rd century BC, during the time of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, and his terracotta army. The inlays also showcase a Huangshan Pine tree, as it is native to the mist-shrouded mountain of the same name, and a staple in Chinese historical culture. Jade has been part of ancient burial rites throughout China’s long and storied history, with this piece having an ancient war-horse being front and centre. The horse symbolises pure male strength (yang), and has been regarded as a more potent form of power than the dragon, until late BC when the culture began revering the dragon as a more pure form of strength and power.