Ancient Stone Bi Disc from Early Africa Private Collection with Custom Stand

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Ancient Stone Bi Disc from Early Africa Private Collection with Custom Stand

About the Item

This is an authentic ancient sand stone bi form disc coming from northern Africa. It comes from neolithic times and dates before the time of Christ. This comes from our private ancient bi collection which was formed over the past thirty years. Dimensions: the bi disc is 6 inches diameter and almost one inch thick. On our custom-made Stand it measures 8 inches high, the custom display Stand included displays it nicely. Its actual use and significance from this region remains unknown- one of the many mysteries from the ancient world. We guarantee its authenticity unconditionally and will include our Schneible Fine Arts LLC Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity. Schneible Fine arts has been dealing in authentic antique and neolithic art from China, Africa, as well as Japanese antiquities and Fine art, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. Mr. Schneible personally travels abroad each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity, and quality condition. History of the Chinese bi: Flat jade discs with a round central hole "bi" are among the earliest surviving artifacts of China and must be considered among great ancient art forms- masterpieces of the Neolithic period. Nephrite jade from which discs were fashioned is a prime hard and strong stone, arduous to work by hand using Primitive stone tools and abrasives. It's no wonder then that jade discs "bi" represent remarkable craftsmanship. While all theories presented to date are speculative, we can forward one Based Upon the warring states text Zhou Li that bi are thought to represent symbols of heaven and were used in ancient rituals together with square tubes cong symbolizing the earth. To worship heaven with a bi explains their importance and use. Bi also symbolize status of high social rank and sheds light on why many carved jades have been found in Zhou royal tombs. They are prominently found in varied qualities, quantities and sizes. Their ritual prominence stretches from the most ancient of Chinese history- Hongshan/Liangzhou/Longshan (4700-2190 BCE)/ Qi Jia cultures and on to the Zhou dynasty (3000-250 BCE) onwards. Today jade bi are emblematic of power, status and privileged classes and offer more complex, varied meaning. Please refer to these excellent publications: Jessica Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, exhibition catalogue The British Museum, London, 1995, pp 13ff, and Section 4. And also "Radiant Stones Archaic Chinese Jades, the Myrna and Samurai Myers collection", 2000 curated by Filippo Salviati, PhD, entry 14, Bi Disc. Please come visit us June 15-Oct 10, to our expansive Maine annual summer garden and indoor gallery Exhibition Treasures from Asia 149 Main St, Northeast Harbour, Me 04662 (Mount Desert Island-just 15 minutes from Bar Harbour and Acadia National Park). This, our eighth annual exhibition, features hundreds of antique, and many unique Asian and non-Asian garden ornaments including a Fine selection of authentic Japanese lanterns and water basins (tsukubaI) as well as an indoor gallery chock full of select antiques, Chinese antiquities, old jades, Fine pottery, woodblock prints, Japanese screens and much more. We hope to see you there.

Dimensions:
Height: 8 in (20.32 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 0.8 in (2.04 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Sandstone,Hand-Carved
Place of Origin:
North Africa
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
15th Century or Earlier
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
South Burlington, VT
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU128926599783