Disk (bi) with knobs, masks and birds

This disk, carved almost identically on both sides, has a large central aperture bordered by a narrow, undecorated ring, followed by a wider band filled with bovinelike monster masks, stylized bodies, and interlocked crested birds. This “animal band” is ringed by a narrow twisted-rope border followed by a wide band filled with comma spirals arranged in a regular grid pattern. A narrow, undecorated ring encircles the outer edge of the disk.

Disk with 2-zoned layout, commas, and interlacing frontal “dragons.”

Large Green Archaic Jade Bi Disk
Lightly carved with entwined sinuous birds alternating with stylized bovine masks, encircled by a rope-twist band before faceted studs incised with rice-grain spirals, the greenish stone with icy white inclusions and russet veins
Labeled no. 34

Historical period(s)
Western Han dynasty, BCE 206-9 CE
Medium
Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions
H x Diam: 0.7 x 27.1 cm (5/16 x 10 11/16 in) Diam (hole): 9.1 cm (3 9/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Bequest of Mrs. Katharine Graham
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F2002.16a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceremonial Object, Jade
Type

Ceremonial object: disk (bi)

Keywords
China, Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), Western Han dynasty (206 BCE - 9 CE)
Provenance

To 2002
Mrs. Katharine Graham, Washington, DC, to 2002 [1]

From 2002
Freer Gallery of Art, bequeathed by Mrs. Katharine Graham in 2002

Notes:

[1] Mrs. Katharine Graham received this object from her parents (according to Curatorial Note 5, Jan Stuart, December 2002, in the object record).

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Katharine Meyer Graham 1917-2001

Description

This disk, carved almost identically on both sides, has a large central aperture bordered by a narrow, undecorated ring, followed by a wider band filled with bovinelike monster masks, stylized bodies, and interlocked crested birds. This "animal band" is ringed by a narrow twisted-rope border followed by a wide band filled with comma spirals arranged in a regular grid pattern. A narrow, undecorated ring encircles the outer edge of the disk.

Disk with 2-zoned layout, commas, and interlacing frontal "dragons."

Large Green Archaic Jade Bi Disk
Lightly carved with entwined sinuous birds alternating with stylized bovine masks, encircled by a rope-twist band before faceted studs incised with rice-grain spirals, the greenish stone with icy white inclusions and russet veins
Labeled no. 34

Marking(s)

Labeled no. 34

Label

Unlike other disks in the Freer collection, this bi has raised bumps only on its outer border. The inner ring is decorated with pairs of entwined birds and animal masks. These patterns are reversed on most excavated examples, with spirals filling the inner ring. Such variations in the highly standardized organization of decoration are extremely rare among ritual objects.

Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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