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Disc

Disc

  • Place of origin:

    China (made)

  • Date:

    ca. 2000 BC -1500 BC (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Nephrite jade, carved

  • Museum number:

    CIRC.3-1933

  • Gallery location:

    On Display

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A ‘bi’ is a flat circular slab of jade with a central hole. An ancient Chinese text entitled the ‘Zhouli’ (‘Rituals of Zhou’) describes the ‘bi’ as a ceremonial object to sacrifice to Heaven. However the ‘bi’ was made at least a thousand years before the ‘Zhouli’ was written. Its function in prehistoric times remains unknown.

Physical description

Mottled dark green bi with brown inclusions

Place of Origin

China (made)

Date

ca. 2000 BC -1500 BC (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Nephrite jade, carved

Dimensions

Diameter: 20.3 cm

Descriptive line

Disc, Bi, Nephrite jade, China, ca. 2000 BC -1500 BC.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Kerr, Rose (ed). Chinese Art and Design. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1991, nr.105.

Materials

Jade

Techniques

Carved

Categories

Ceremonial objects

Collection code

EAS

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Qr_O39317
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