新朝（A.D. 8-23）龍鳳紋八角白玉壺，H.21cm。本器為矩形的八角形玉壺，有黃帝初祖長壽龍集己巳傳傳初班天下子孫萬國永遵億年印刻銘文上寬下窄。壺蓋頂端有一開口的八角形槽，亦呈上寬下窄。壺蓋下緣兩陰線中間，有陰線雷紋。壺身上端則在兩繩紋中間，有陰線雷紋。壺身較寬的兩面以淺浮雕方式刻有穿雲龍，龍的造型已具神仙傳說海龍王的紋飾，頭上有雙角，翅膀羽毛上，有海馬狀紋飾，雲的造型則為雲氣式的如意祥雲。壺身較窄的兩面以淺浮雕方式刻有鳳凰。(一般來說，中國鳳凰的原形有很多種說法：錦雞、孔雀、鷹鷲、鵠、玄鳥等。後來傳到道教, 鳳凰的形象轉變為雀鳥、孔雀，或山雞，而中國文獻中記載，鳳凰是指一種叫做鵬鳥或大鵬鳥的鳥類。因此現代學者們推測，古人所指的鳳凰，可能是把雉雞美化和神話後的產物。)本器系宮廷用品，掏膛滿工，構圖華麗，線條流暢，刀工極致精美。本器之玉質為冰種和田白玉，溶蝕孔，擴散暈沁色，增生晶體，古玉跡像明顯。新朝祇歷經15年，新朝文物極為稀少，本器兼具藝術及歷史價值，是難得的珍品（銅嘉量銘文全文：黃帝初祖，德及於虞，虞帝始祖，德

及予新，歲在大樑，龍集戊辰，戊辰直定，天命有民，據土德受，正號即真，改正建醜，長壽隆崇，同律度量衡，稽當前人，龍集己巳，歲次實沉，初班天下

，萬國永遵，子子孫孫，享傳億年。）Shin Dynasty (AD8-25) Octagon-shape Jade Container with Dragon and Phoenix Motif and Inscriptions, H.21cm

The inscriptions of the four corners are translated as follows: The virtues of the original ancestor Emperor Huang has handed down to my nation. In the year of A.D. 9, the new system of measurement is announced for the first time, for all generations to follow forever. The twenty-four Chinese characters: 黃帝初祖長壽, 龍集己巳享傳, 初班天下子孫, 萬國永遵億年
appeared on the surfaces of the four corners of the container are digested from the eighty-one Chinese characters ( 黃帝初祖，德及于虞，虞帝始祖，德及予新，歲在大樑 ，龍集戊辰，戊辰直定，天命有民，據土德受 ，正號即真 ，改正建醜，長壽隆崇，同律度量衡，稽當前人，龍集己巳 ，歲次實沈，初班天下，萬國永遵，子子孫孫，享傳億年 。)
inscribed on the outside wall the bronze container from Shin dynasty (A.D. 8-23) in the National Palace Museum collections. This octagon-shape container is broader on the upper part and narrower on the lower part. The lid of the vase has an open octagon-shaped tub. It is broader on the upper part and narrower on the lower part of the tub. There is a negative thunder motif between two thicker negative lines on the lower part of the lid. The same design also appears on the upper and lower parts of the main container. The four narrowest surfaces have inscriptions with negative lines. The two narrow surfaces have low relief phoenix motif. The two broader surfaces have low relief dragon motif. The design of the dragon has featured the fairy tale of King of the sea dragon with the motif of seahorse appears on the wings. The motifs of this container are picturesque with elegant lines and a dexterous carving technique. It is reasonable to believe that this container is from the imperial palace of the Shin dynasty. The item is made of high-quality white jade with evidence of diffusive markings, additive crystal, and dissolved pits. The Shin dynasty is lasts only for a short period of fifteen years (from A.D. 8 to A.D.23), the artifact from its imperial palace is extremely rare. In addition, the inscriptions on it have recorded the history of the ancient Chinese measurement system. It is no doubt that this container is important for its artistic value and historic value.