Disk (bi 璧)

A tortoise shell-colored disk of plain form; yellowish jade with brown and black cloudy russet markings, and unpolished areas along the outer edge. The aperture drilled from one side.

Maker(s)
Artist: Qijia culture 齊家 (ca. 2250-ca.1900 BCE)
Historical period(s)
Late Neolithic period, ca. 2500 BCE
Medium
Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions
Diam x D: 13.1 × 0.6 cm (5 3/16 × 1/4 in)
Geography
Northwest China
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1987.743
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), nephrite, WWII-era provenance
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

A tortoise shell-colored disk of plain form; yellowish jade with brown and black cloudy russet markings, and unpolished areas along the outer edge. The aperture drilled from one side.

Published References
  • J. Keith Wilson, Jingmin Zhang. Jades for Life and Death. .
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Jades for Life and Death
Google Cultural Institute
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