Large jade disc ‘Bi’, Han style

A large jade ceremonial disc (bi), made of olive-green jade with brown veins and slight ochre tones, the result of natural oxidation. The piece is perfectly circular in shape, with a wide central hole and a uniform thickness, with slightly bevelled edges. The surface is divided into decorative bands that surround the perimeter; the outer, larger one shows multiple carved characters, followed by a small border in the form of a rope, behind which there is a relief surface with a grain pattern, ending in the central openwork image of an archaic dragon with a stylized body that coils into multiple scrolls.

This type of disc was linked to ritual ceremonies related to the sky and nobility, and was considered to be an object of status.

Diameter: 24.8 cm; Thickness: 0.6 cm

Weight: 791