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

• 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)

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Ceremonial objects

• On View

  Yes