East Asia, China, Neolithic Period, Liangzhu culture, ca. 3200 to 1800 BCE. A fabulous Chinese bi disc, meticulously hand-carved from a mesmerizing emerald-green nephrite with natural sage, russet, beige, and dark-grey inclusions. The bi disc is characteristically round with a wide central aperture drilled evenly through both sides which still retain some very faint cutting marks along the interior rim, and presents an overall smooth finish. The disc bears a nicely rounded exterior rim, and the thinness indicates this disc came from a slab of nephrite used to create several similarly-shaped discs. 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. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 11.6" Diameter (29.5 cm); 18" H (45.7 cm) on included custom stand.
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 East Coast, USA collection; ex-Virginia Dellinger collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1970s
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#143893
Condition
Small area of repair to exterior rim, with light restoration and overpainting along break lines. Minor abrasions to both faces. Smooth texture throughout. Old inventory label adhesive on one side.