East Asia, China, Neolithic Period, Liangzhu culture, ca. 3200 to 1800 BCE. A fine Chinese bi disc, meticulously hand-carved from a mesmerizing sage-green nephrite with natural grey, russet, and forest-green inclusions. The bi disc is characteristically round with a wide central aperture drilled unevenly through both sides which retain some faint cutting marks on the interior rim, and presents an overall smooth finish. A curved groove can be felt along one side, perhaps as a result of drilling another larger nephrite slab. The fact that this disc is undecorated confirms that it is from the Neolithic period; later examples, such as those from the Zhou Dynasties were carved with relief sculptures representing celestial deities. Size (at widest point): 7.2" Diameter (18.3 cm).
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 into the afterlife.
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection; ex-private Midwest United States collection, acquired in the 1990s
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#139088
Condition
Small chips to exterior and interior rims, with minor abrasions, otherwise intact and excellent.