Disk (bi) with raised uniform curls arranged in a grid and masks with interlaced birds

Object Details

• Description

  This disk, carved almost identically on both sides, has a large central aperture bordered by a narrow, undecorated ring, followed by a wider band filled with bovinelike monster masks, stylized bodies, and interlocked crested birds. This "animal band" is ringed by a narrow twisted-rope border followed by a wide band filled with comma spirals arranged in a regular grid pattern. A narrow, undecorated ring encircles the outer edge of the disk.

  Disk with 2-zoned layout, commas, and interlacing frontal "dragons."

  Large Green Archaic Jade Bi Disk

  Lightly carved with entwined sinuous birds alternating with stylized bovine masks, encircled by a rope-twist band before faceted studs incised with rice-grain spirals, the greenish stone with icy white inclusions and russet veins

  Labeled no. 34

• Marks

  Labeled no. 34

• Label

  Unlike other disks in the Freer collection, this bi has raised bumps only on its outer border. The inner ring is decorated with pairs of entwined birds and animal masks. These patterns are reversed on most excavated examples, with spirals filling the inner ring. Such variations in the highly standardized organization of decoration are extremely rare among ritual objects.

• Provenance

  To 2002

  Mrs. Katharine Graham, Washington, DC, to 2002 [1]

  From 2002

  Freer Gallery of Art, bequeathed by Mrs. Katharine Graham in 2002

  Notes:

  [1] Mrs. Katharine Graham received this object from her parents (according to Curatorial Note 5, Jan Stuart, December 2002, in the object record).

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Afterlife: Ancient Chinese Jades (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

  Ancient Chinese Jades and Bronzes (November 20, 2010 to January 3, 2016)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Katharine Meyer Graham (1917-2001)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Bequest of Mrs. Katharine Graham

• Type

  Ceremonial Object

• On View

  Freer Gallery 19: Afterlife: Ancient Chinese Jades

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 0s

• Name

  Graham, Katharine Meyer

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Chinese Art, Western Han dynasty (206 BCE - 9 CE), Nephrite, Jade

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Ceremonial objects

• On View

  Yes