Scabbard chape (bi or biao)

Translucent green hetian jade with light-gray mottling and brown infusions has been formed into a trapezoidal plaque with borders reduced in thickness. The relief design is the same on both sides—grain comma spirals in the center and stylized C shapes on the border, all framed by a single incised line. A hole has been drilled in the center of the top. This chape was believed to be a Warring States Period work (d'Argencé 1972, 46, plate 16).

The decoration of Han chapes preserved much of the Warring States style. Comma spirals and larger C hooks were arranged in a very logical and stylized way. The one or three holes in the top were generally in a cow-nostril form, with one bigger opening and a smaller bottom ( Zgyqqj 1993, vol. 4, plate 84).

The jade artisan did not remove the background of the raised C shapes evenly on this chape, and the comma spirals with deep intaglio do not correspond to the Han technique. In addition, the composition is loose, without the strict alignment seen on Han jades. Finally, the hole is straight and perfect—clearly the product of a modern drilling technique.