Disk (bi 璧)

Large nephrite disk, mottled dark green with dark and light brown inclusions; it is uneven around its outer edge. Central hole drilled from one side.

Maker(s)
Artist: Qijia culture 齊家 (ca. 2250-ca.1900 BCE)
Historical period(s)
Late Neolithic period, 2250-1900 BCE
Medium
Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 1.9 x 42.5 x 42.5 cm (3/4 x 16 3/4 x 16 3/4 in)
Geography
Northwest China
Credit Line
The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; a joint gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, Paul Singer, the AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, and the Children of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1999.120.2
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceremonial Object, Jade
Type

Ceremonial object: disk (bi)

Keywords
China, Late Neolithic period (ca. 5000 - ca. 1700 BCE), Paul Singer collection
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Large nephrite disk, mottled dark green with dark and light brown inclusions; it is uneven around its outer edge. Central hole drilled from one side.

Published References
  • J. Keith Wilson, Jingmin Zhang. Jades for Life and Death. .
  • Hugo Munsterberg. The Arts of China. no. 9, Rutland, Vermont. .
  • Ideals of Beauty: Asian and American Art in the Freer and Sackler Galleries. Thames and Hudson World of Art London and Washington, 2010. pp. 58-59.
  • Elizabeth Childs-Johnson, Fang Gu. Yuqi shidai: Meiguo bowuguan cang Zhongguo zaoqi yuqi [The Jade Age: Early Chinese Jades in American Museums]. Beijing, 2009. pp. 92-93.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Jades for Life and Death
Google Cultural Institute
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