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Disc
Disc
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Randy Batista

Disc

Artist Chinese Artist
DateNeolithic Period or later
Place of originChina, Asia
MediumJade
Dimensions4 3/8 x 4 1/2 x 7/8 in. (11.1 x 11.4 x 2.2 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineBequest of Dr. David A. Cofrin
Object number2009.48.151
Collections
Visual DescriptionWith rounded sides, some chips
Carved from a brown and russet jade with patches of black, the irregular shaped disc is carefully beveled and rounded. This disc also has a distinctive hole formed by a series of beveled edges, suggestive of an early and basic technology. There is a slight surface iridescence present which is indicative of prolonged exposure to water and mineral elements due to burial. There is also evidence of surface pitting and abrasion which is typically found on Neolithic jade artifacts. The dark brown color of the jade is characteristic to Northeastern China, and is consistent with dating of the Hongshan culture. It is typically not found in other Neolithic cultures. (Bernstein invoice description)
Disc with Cloud Pattern
Disc with Cloud Pattern
Chinese Artist
Eastern Zhou dynasty (770-256 BCE)
This large bi disc has been meticulously worked with a subtle concave rim rarely seen on bi discs of this size. Small circular bracelet-form jades from recent Liangzhu excavations show edges which are slightly concave in shape. This suggests an original bone-derived stylistic element. Although these wearable jades with concave edges are more frequently seen, this bi example of large size is most unusual. The surface of the bi disc is highly polished, and there has been much attention to both sha…
Bi
Chinese, Liangzhu culture
Neolithic period or later
The translucent, deeply colored amber colored glass imitates the dark amber found in nature. The walls of the vase are thickly formed with swirling striations that are typical of the period. A slight crizzling is evident on the inner surface of the vase and may also be seen on the exterior surface. The body of the vase is of a flattened circular form with a tubular neck and finished with a beveled lip. Unpolished grinding marks about the shoulders of the vase are evidence of the carving process…
Bottle
Chinese Artist
Yongzheng Period (1723-1735)
Cong with Taotie Designs
Cong with Taotie Designs
Chinese Artist
Ming dynasty (1368-1644) or later
Pig Dragon
Pig Dragon
Chinese Artist
Neolithic period, c. 3500-3000 BCE or later
Carved from a light green jade with black inclusions, both sides of the disc are divided into two finely executed concentric decor zones. The inner band contains a grid of low relief curls within elevated hexagonal units, bordered by three "Bucraniums" that embellish the outer band. They stylized dragon forms are fluidly shaped from thick and thin incisions in a curvilinear pattern and separated by incised double brackets. Consistent with the practice of the time, cinnabar was applied to enhance…
Jade Disc (Bi) 玉璧
Chinese Artist
Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE)
This ear cup reflects the Song period's profound interest in history in its characteristic design found in jades of the late Han period (206BC-AD220). The thinly worked oval cup has two flat handles projecting just below the rim at the longer sides, resting on an oval base with a raised foot ring. The highly translucent yellow jade possesses darker russet brown inclusions creating a desirable "skin" throughout the cup. The ear cup is of a fine, smooth polish. In our opinion, this ear cup is a fi…
Ear Cup
Chinese Artist
Qing dynasty (1644-1911) or later
Carved as a long slender blade of slightly curved outline tapering in thickness towards the tip and the cutting edge from an upper, and thicker, flat edge which is a continuation of the narrow, beveled handle, fitted at its end with a short similar section set at the base of a slight saddle with raised edges from which issues a faceted oval ring, the blade now altered from burial to an opaque pale and dark mottled gray with a few translucent buff patches remaining, the ring section somewhat opaq…
Serpentine Knife
Chinese Artist
Warring States Period (c. 475-221 BCE)
A jar type popular throughout Eats and South-east Asia, and widely produced from South China to Thailand and found in South China Sea shipwrecks, it was used for storage and in association with burials. This jar has a tan-brown burning thick paste clay body and a dense dark brown glaze which drips dramatically from the shoulder to where glaze coverage ends about two-fifths of the way up the belly. The base has an abraded low foot ring and a rough flat interior. The shape has a wide foot, long ex…
Storage Jar with Brown Drip Glaze and Four Lugs
Thai Artist
14th-16th century
Bell is divided into sections which are reminiscent of the piece-mold technique of seaming the elements of the bronze bells together, seen on this jade bell as design elements. This archaistic bell is of greenish-gray jade with russet inclusions. In our opinion this archaistic bell expresses the refinement of design and technical workmanship of the late Song to early Ming period.
Archaistic Bell
Chinese Artist
Song Dynasty (960-1279) or later
Mirror inset in relief-carved wood, end of handle is carved as a circle; back and sides have rows of quatrefoil motifs; mirror is inset in conventional beveled frame, which is then inset into a hand-carved frame. Handle and outer frame are made of a lightweight wood, dark brown stain, some patina on handle.
Woman's Prestige Mirror
Igbo Artist
20th century
Reticulated Bowl
Reticulated Bowl
Chinese Artist
19th century or later

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