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

Jade Disc (Bi) 玉璧

Artist Chinese Artist
DateHan Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE)
Place of originChina, Asia
MediumJade
DimensionsThickness x Diameter: 1/4 x 7 9/16 in. (0.6 x 19.2 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineBequest of Dr. David A. Cofrin
Object number2009.48.273
Collections
Visual DescriptionCarved 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 the surface decoration.
Seated girl with arm bands and necklace
Seated girl with arm bands and necklace
Mexican Artist
100 BCE-200 CE
Hollow dark reddish pottery; red slipped on shoulders, cloak, and projecting parts of hat; incisions on cloak; spout on top of head
Drinking Seated Male Effigy
West Mexican Artist
100-300
Cross with joined arms and two brackets attached to central support. Incised surface with images of the Virgin and Child, Crucifixion, and a written inscription on lower arm.
Processional Cross
Ethiopian Artist
mid-late 18th century
Jade Prism (Cong) 玉琮
Jade Prism (Cong) 玉琮
Chinese Artist
Zhou dynasty (1050–256 BCE) or later
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
Disc with Cloud Pattern
Disc with Cloud Pattern
Chinese Artist
Eastern Zhou dynasty (770-256 BCE)
Disc
Disc
Chinese Artist
Neolithic Period or later
This semi-translucent stone of soft olive-green color with opaque buff mottling and some dark brown coloring in areas that show signs of alteration from burial, the inner and outer edges well finished and the stone with a high, soft polish, some chips
Ritual Disc (Bi)
Chinese Artist
Zhou Dynasty (c.1050-256 BCE) or earlier
Bowl with varied decor. Interior: Chakra motif with "petals" and circular bands and repeat pattern below rim, together with five pontil marks. Exterior: abstracted design bands; exposed clay brown-toned and rough.
Bowl with Brown Floral Motif
Thai Artist
14th-mid 16th century
Large basket and disc
Large basket and disc
Elodia Cheucarama
c. 1990-2000
In the foreground, men work backstage to hoist a curtain while dancers (female and male) practice in the background. One man holds a red ladder.
Stage Hands
Leonard Pytlak
c. 1936-1941
Study for one of six canvases in the mural series entitled "Art of the Negro", commissioned for the Trevor Arnett Library (in-situ) at Atlanta University (now Clark-Atlanta University), completed in 1952. The upper zone of the study is dominated by the figure of Shango, the spirit of lightning and thunder in contemporary Yoruba culture in western Nigeria. To the left of Shango, the brightly colored masked figures evoke images from ancient rock paintings in southwestern Africa. On the right of Sh…
Native Forms (study), from the series “Art of the Negro”
Hale Aspacio Woodruff
1950

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