Period:Han dynasty Production date:2ndC BC-2ndC AD
Materials:jade
Technique:polished, incised, bevelled,
Subjects:bird phoenix
Dimensions:Diameter: 18 centimetres
Description:
Disc – bi of dark green semi-translucent jade with grey and brownish inclusions and speckling finished to a soft polish.
IMG
![图片[1]-bi BM-2022-3034.192-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Han dynasty/Jades/341_.jpg)
Comments:The bi is divided into two main circular bands with the outer being incised and bevelled cut with four birds decorated with curled crest feathers, hooked beak and long flowing plumage. The inner band carved with hexagonal motifs on a base of grooves at angles of approximately 65 degrees. These two bands are separated by a striated strip and the inner and outer rims are undecorated. Both sides are similarly worked. See Rawson 1995 p.256, cat.no.15.5. Eastern Zhou or Han period. This very neatly executed disc differs from 271 [2014,AsiaLoan,1.5] in being decorated with birds rather than with animal faces. In addition to undecorated borders around the outer circumference and the inner hole, this disc has a striated band between the outer decorated band and the inner zone. Faces enclosed by scrolled extensions are here replaced by four large scrolls rendered as phoenixes, with small heads and scroll-like plumes behind. Their bodies rise in a hump, with a back-turned loop forming a wing and a double scroll suggesting a tail. Deeply cut and bevelled lines are used for the principal scrolls, giving a strong rhythmical effect to the border. A very similar design can be seen on a bi disc from the tomb of Prince Liu Sheng at Mancheng. The surfaces of the plumes and tails are decorated with incised lines, and patches of striations fill the areas below the tails. The criss-cross on the inner zone is very neat and densely arranged, and reflections from it highlight the insistent pattern.
Materials:jade
Technique:polished, incised, bevelled,
Subjects:bird phoenix
Dimensions:Diameter: 18 centimetres
Description:
Disc – bi of dark green semi-translucent jade with grey and brownish inclusions and speckling finished to a soft polish.
IMG
Comments:The bi is divided into two main circular bands with the outer being incised and bevelled cut with four birds decorated with curled crest feathers, hooked beak and long flowing plumage. The inner band carved with hexagonal motifs on a base of grooves at angles of approximately 65 degrees. These two bands are separated by a striated strip and the inner and outer rims are undecorated. Both sides are similarly worked. See Rawson 1995 p.256, cat.no.15.5. Eastern Zhou or Han period. This very neatly executed disc differs from 271 [2014,AsiaLoan,1.5] in being decorated with birds rather than with animal faces. In addition to undecorated borders around the outer circumference and the inner hole, this disc has a striated band between the outer decorated band and the inner zone. Faces enclosed by scrolled extensions are here replaced by four large scrolls rendered as phoenixes, with small heads and scroll-like plumes behind. Their bodies rise in a hump, with a back-turned loop forming a wing and a double scroll suggesting a tail. Deeply cut and bevelled lines are used for the principal scrolls, giving a strong rhythmical effect to the border. A very similar design can be seen on a bi disc from the tomb of Prince Liu Sheng at Mancheng. The surfaces of the plumes and tails are decorated with incised lines, and patches of striations fill the areas below the tails. The criss-cross on the inner zone is very neat and densely arranged, and reflections from it highlight the insistent pattern.
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