The Jade Cong: A Chronicle exhibition in Hangzhou runs until Nov 29. [Photo/Tide News]

Liangzhu Museum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, is hosting a special exhibition marking the 90th anniversary of the discovery of the Liangzhu ruins, featuring 124 jade cong (ritual jade objects with a quadrilateral exterior and a circular interior) and cong-shaped artifacts from 39 institutions across 14 Chinese provinces and overseas collections.

Titled Jade Cong: A Chronicle, the exhibition traces how cong evolved from a prehistoric ritual object into a symbol of ceremonial traditions and an expression of Eastern aesthetics.

The exhibits showcase changes in cong's form, cultural significance, historical interpretation, and later imitations over the past 5,000 years. Together, they present a continuous history of the distinctive artifact.

Highlights include a 29.4-centimeter-tall jade cong from the Liangzhu culture, featuring 10 tiers of simplified human-and-animal motifs and a rare engraved crescent-shaped symbol. Inscribed jade artifacts from the Liangzhu culture are scarce, and this piece's relatively well-documented provenance adds to its research value.

The exhibition runs through Nov 29. Visitors can explore the evolution of jade cong and its enduring role in Chinese cultural history.