Notched disk

This enigmatic, notched disk with its perhaps star-gazing connotation is seen here in an unusual form since it has only two notches and two areas of serrations rather than the usual three. Also, the flesh is reduced by means of a rather large aperture. Still, the piece is of such perfect workmanship and such correct quality of the stone and so capable of giving pleasure to the eye and touch that no question of later imitation need be entertained. The color is cream with greenish spotting. (Dirt and small red spot adhering to back, slight dirt in some of the notches; slight dirt accretions on glossy side; small old chip in outer edge.)

Historical period(s)
Anyang period, Late Shang dynasty, ca. 1300-ca. 1050 BCE
Medium
Jade (nephrite)
Dimensions
Diam x D: 11.3 × 0.5 cm (4 7/16 × 3/16 in) Diam (hole): 6 cm (2 3/8 in)
Geography
China, probably Henan province, Anyang
Credit Line
Gift of Arthur M. Sackler
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S1987.456
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceremonial Object, Jade
Type

Ceremonial object: disk, notched

Keywords
Anyang period (ca. 1300 - ca. 1050 BCE), China
Provenance

To 1959
Abel William Bahr (1877-1959), Shanghai, China, London, England, Montreal, Canada, New York, NY, and Ridgefield, Connecticut [1]

From 1959 to 1963
Edna H. Bahr (d. 1978), by descent from her father, Abel William Bahr

From 1963 to 1987
Arthur M. Sackler, New York, purchased from the Bahr Collection in 1963 [2]

From 1987
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Arthur M. Sackler on September 11, 1987 [3]

Notes:

[1] According to information provided by the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, October 9, 2009.

[2] See #103: "Cream coloured calcification. Mud on surface. Disk with large centre hole. Outer edge divided in 2 sections with gropu of single and double teeth in each," on list provided by the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, October 9, 2009, copy in object file.

[3] Pursuant to the agreement between Arthur M. Sackler and the Smithsonian Institution, dated July 28, 1982, legal title of the donated objects was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on September 11, 1987.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Edna H. Bahr died 1978
Abel William Bahr 1877-1959
Dr. Arthur M. Sackler 1913-1987

Description

This enigmatic, notched disk with its perhaps star-gazing connotation is seen here in an unusual form since it has only two notches and two areas of serrations rather than the usual three. Also, the flesh is reduced by means of a rather large aperture. Still, the piece is of such perfect workmanship and such correct quality of the stone and so capable of giving pleasure to the eye and touch that no question of later imitation need be entertained. The color is cream with greenish spotting. (Dirt and small red spot adhering to back, slight dirt in some of the notches; slight dirt accretions on glossy side; small old chip in outer edge.)

Published References
  • J. Keith Wilson, Jingmin Zhang. Jades for Life and Death. .
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Jades for Life and Death
Google Cultural Institute
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