Disc (bi)

This green colored disc is divided into two zones of decoration by a striated border. The inner zone is decorated with a regular pattern of slightly raised, incised spirals. One can clearly see the grid used to set out these spirals within hexagonal units. This carving is a move away from the precision of the grain pattern; it is a more abbreviated design. The outer zone consists of four animal masks and a pattern of scrolls. These zoomorphic masks face outwards and have rounded horns, big eyes, prominent eyebrows, and small areas of hatched lines above the heads. Moving out and away from the head is a rhythmic scrolling of intertwined bodies or manes created by deep and shallow cuts. This mask decor may have developed from openwork pendants adorned with central animal faces of the Eastern Zhou (Rawson 249-250, fig. 5). The artist appropriated this design and reduced it to incised and beveled lines which capture and reflect the light. The same carved pattern appears on the back of the disk.

This type of Bi disk was first developed in the Eastern Zhou but was used widely in burials during the Western Han. It was believed that placing these discs on the body would protect them from evil spirits and ghosts. The permanence and endurance of the material was thought to confer to the deceased immortality, successfulness, and security in the afterlife.

As with the bi discussed above (#58), the two sides of this piece are exactly parallel and very uniform. However, it is cut from dark green Khotan jade, a color that had not been employed with any regularity from at least the early Western Zhou. This, along with the size, suggests a new source for jade during the late Warring States and Western Han. This green stone is not as translucent as the lighter yellow material, is less consistent in color, and has greater numbers of inclusions. The surface on this piece has some mottling from burial and some areas of alteration along the edge.

1. Rawson, 15:4
2. Yang, no. 202
3. Ayers, plate 95
4. Lam, no. 100
5. Zhongguo Yuqi Chuanji, vol 4, p. 87, plate 114
6. Kaogu, 1994, no.12, plate 2, fig 5
published Loo, plate XXXVIII, fig 3