Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

Chinese Rare Large Yellow Jade Bi Disc with Vibrant Colors

$395
£299.93
€343
CA$551.87
A$613.80
CHF 320.51
MX$7,469.32
NOK 4,093.38
SEK 3,838.87
DKK 2,559.91
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

A rare handsome Chinese Heavenly jade Bi disk carved in a rarely found combination of mutton fat yellow and green jade with patches of brown accents in the stone that depict a green earthy feel. Custom display base included. This comes from our private collection which we formed over a period of twenty years while traveling extensively through out all of China. Dimensions: bi disc is 5 inches high with custom stand as shown; bi disc only is 3.25 inches diameter Jades were handmade and hand abraided and hand polished using tools of the time: bamboo, stone, water and stone dust . Notice the considerable calcification on the bottom edge of this example- evidence of submersion and good age. Provenance: Our private collection and accompanied by our Schneible fine arts Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity. Jade bi and Cong History These bi are regarded as cosmological symbols and as signifiers of status and wealth. These jades are hand abraided and hand polished using special polishing tools with stone, water. Notice the beautiful colors and "waves" pattern in the stone, uncommon in this kind of jade. Provenance: Our private collection and accompanied by our Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity. Early History: 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.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Diameter: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    15th Century And Earlier
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    South Burlington, VT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1289244417802

More From This Seller

View All
Chinese Old Set Three Hand made Jade Bi, Private Collection
Located in South Burlington, VT
This is a grouping of three (3) authentic Chinese old jade bi disc from the 20th century. These come from our private collection. Including Our Certificate of Authenticity Dimensi...
Category

20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Chinese Set Two Hand Carved Jade Bi
Located in South Burlington, VT
This is a set of two (2) very fine quality (2) authentic Chinese jade bi disc from the 20th century or older. These come from our private collection. Quality: very fine translucen...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Chinese Jade Bi With Beautiful Green Clouds Translucent Colors
Located in South Burlington, VT
An attractive Chinese Heavenly green jade Bi disk with beautiful translucent "cloud bands" patterns of light and medium green horizontal accents in the stone that depict appealing movements. This comes from our private collection which we formed over a period of twenty years while traveling extensively through out all of China. Dimensions: bi disc is 7 inches high with custom stand as shown Jades were handmade and hand abraided and hand polished using tools of the time: bamboo, stone, water and stone dust . Notice the considerable calcification on the bottom edge of this example- evidence of submersion and great age. Provenance: Our private collection and accompanied by our Schneible fine arts Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity. Jade bi and Cong History These bi are regarded as cosmological symbols and as signifiers of status and wealth. These jades are hand abraided and hand polished using special polishing tools with stone, water. Notice the beautiful colors and "waves" pattern in the stone, uncommon in this kind of jade. Provenance: Our private collection and accompanied by our Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity. Early History: 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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Antique Hand-Carved Cash Coin Garden Stone, 19th Century
Located in South Burlington, VT
Unique garden accents This delightful round hand-carved stone in the form of an old "cash coin" with its square hole and dates to the 19th century. This was likely a mill stone for ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Limestone

Chinese Cache Ancient Heavenly Green Jade Bi , 94 pieces
Located in South Burlington, VT
This is a guaranteed authentic ancient Chinese jade bi cache of ninety four (94) discs from the Qijia culture, Northwestern China, circa 3000-2000 BCE. Including Our Certificate of ...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities

Materials

Jade

Chinese Cache Ancient Heavenly Green Jade Bi , 96 pieces
Located in South Burlington, VT
This is a guaranteed authentic ancient Chinese jade bi cache of ninety six (96) discs from the Qijia culture, Northwestern China, circa 3000-2000 BCE. Including Our Certificate of A...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antiquities

Materials

Jade

You May Also Like

Asian Hard Stone Disc
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Chinese hard stone disc on black metal stand, beautiful form, color and texture. Measures: 7" wide, 8.2" total height included stand. Stone disc itself...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Mounted Objects

Materials

Stone

Chinese Prosperity Stone Disc, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This round stone disc originated as an early 20th-century threshing wheel. Secured to a wooden axel that ran through the center, the stone was rolled across stalks of wheat to separa...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Organic Modern Mounted Objects

Materials

Limestone

Chinese Prosperity Stone Disc, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This round stone disc originated in Shanxi province as an early 20th-century threshing wheel. Secured to a wooden axel that ran through the center, the stone was rolled across stalks...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Organic Modern Mounted Objects

Materials

Limestone, Steel

Chinese Prosperity Stone Disc, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This round stone disc originated in Shanxi province as an early 20th-century threshing wheel. Secured to a wooden axel that ran through the center, the stone was rolled across stalks...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Organic Modern Mounted Objects

Materials

Limestone, Steel

Chinese circular cut jade bi on stand
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Circular carved jade bi disc mounted on a custom stand. The marble is rich with blue, green, tan, and brown tones and has deep visual depth. In China, the Bi is a symbol of moral cha...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Mounted Objects

Materials

Jade

Chinese Prosperity Stone Disc, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This round stone disc originated in Shanxi province as an early 20th-century threshing wheel. Secured to a wooden axel that ran through the center, the stone was rolled across stalks...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Organic Modern Mounted Objects

Materials

Limestone, Steel