Disk (bi 璧)

Object Details

• 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.

• Provenance

  ?-1997

  Dr. Paul Singer (1904-1997), method of acquisition unknown [1]

  1997-1999

  In the custody of Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, upon death of Paul Singer and establishment of a loan agreement [2]

  From 1999

  The National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, by gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, Paul Singer, the AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities, and the Children of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler [3]

  Notes:

  [1] The collection of Chinese art and antiquities assembled by Dr. Paul Singer over time was purchased by him on behalf of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, Jillian Sackler, The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, the AMS Foundation for the Arts, Sciences and Humanities and later was transferred to the children of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler.

  [2] The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art came into the custody of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, upon Paul Singer’s death in January 1997. See loan agreement between the Executors of the Singer Estate and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, February 1997, copy in collection accession files. In March 2023, the museum's legal name changed to National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution.

  [3] The entirety of the Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art formally accessioned in 2012. See the Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art gift agreement, March 1999, copy in collection accession files. The work is part of the Museum’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection.

  Research updated on June 12, 2024.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Sensuous and the Sacred: Chola Bronzes from South India (November 10, 2002 to March 9, 2003)

  Untitled Exhibition: Rijksmuseum (November 7, 2002 to May 13, 2003)

  Selections from the Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art (August 20, 1999 to January 15, 2001)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Dr. Paul Singer (1904-1997)

• Origin

  Northwest China

• Culture

  Qijia culture, ca. 2250-ca.1900 BCE

• 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

• Type

  Ceremonial Object

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  BCE 2000s, BCE 1000s

• Name

  Singer, Paul

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, The Dr. Paul Singer Collection of Chinese Art of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Late Neolithic period (ca. 5000 - ca. 1700 BCE), Chinese Art, Nephrite, Jade

• Culture

  Qijia culture, Chinese

• Object Type

  Ceremonial objects