Lot 196
Exhibited Chinese Neolithic Liangzhu Jade Bi Disc
Exhibited Chinese Neolithic Liangzhu Jade Bi Disc
Starting Bid: $1,600
(0 Bids)
East Asia, China, Neolithic Period, Liangzhu culture, ca. 3400 to 2250 BCE. A carved stone bi-disc, meticulously hand-carved from a mesmerizing verdant green nephrite jade with natural grey, sage, and spring green inclusions. This bi disc is characteristically round with a wide central aperture drilled through both sides which retains some faint cutting marks on the interior rim as well as distinct sawing ridge to one side. The edge to the other side is slightly weathered and was probably polished with a deliberate slope . The fact that the disc is undecorated confirms that it is from the Neolithic period; later examples, such as those of the Zhou Dynasties were carved with relief sculptures representing celestial deities. Size: .5" L x 10.7" W (1.3 cm x 27.2 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 Orlando, Florida, USA collection, acquired in Southern Florida, USA, 1993 - 1997, collection exhibited at Rollins Museum of Art (formerly Cornell Fine Arts Museum) at Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, USA, in 1997
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #
200615
- Condition: Good. Intact and quite excellent with minute chips to a few areas of the rim mentioned for accuracy.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |