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THBChinese Neolithic Black Stone Bi Disc
Lot 94a
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$2,000 - $3,000
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| $300 | $50 |
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| $20,000 | $2,500 |
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| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Aug 16, 2018
Set Reminder
2018-08-16 10:00:00
2018-08-16 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Clearance Sale - Ancient / Ethnographic Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/clearance-sale---ancient-ethnographic-art-3368
These lots are going, going, gone... plus a nice selection of lots brand-new to auction! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
These lots are going, going, gone... plus a nice selection of lots brand-new to auction! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (397)
- Lot Description
**First Time At Auction**
East Asia, China, Neolithic, ca. 3800 to 2700 BCE. Finely carved from a black stone with wonderful white and grey inclusions, as well as attractive root marks, a bi disc of remarkably thin walls and protruding borders surrounding both faces of the central aperture. The fact that this disc is not decorated, confirms that it is from the Neolithic period; later examples such as those of the Zhou dynasties were carved with relief sculptures representing celestial deities. Bi discs were traditionally used by Shamans, the spiritual leaders and transmitters of cosmological knowledge of the Liangzhu society. Their circular form has prompted scholars to link bi discs to symbolism associated with earth and heaven. This said, no written accounts were left by Neolithic civilization. We do know, however, that bi discs were buried with the deceased as a celestial symbol that would accompany him/her to the afterlife. Size: 4.25" in diameter (10.8 cm); opening measures 2.125" W (5.4 cm); 5" H (12.7 cm) on included custom stand.
This disk is made from a form of Yu. Yu, the Chinese word for jade and other hard stones, is also an idea - of a steadfastness, and reliability, mirrored in the abrasion techniques required to make this intricate work of art. Yu is also not bound by the mineralogical definition of jade - over the millennia that it has been carved in China, people have had varying access to sources of jade and nephrite - but is rather a wider term for hard stone.
From the Neolithic period forward, bi discs were buried with the dead, often broken or placed ceremonially on the body, usually near the stomach or chest, in high status burials. In addition, scholars believe that they were also used in life for rituals. The level of craftsmanship exhibited in this piece speaks to how highly valued this striking piece of sacred art was.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#137708Minor scuffs/scratches to the surface. Tiny, nearly imperceptible nick to edge of one protruding border around the central aperture. Inventory label on ring facing opening. Nice root marks.Condition
- Shipping Info
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