Illustrated Guide to Folk Ancient Jade Objects (Category: Jade Discs)

Author: Yu Jiming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-28
Features: The jade bi is an ancient funerary ritual vessel originally used to worship heaven and earth. It originated in the Neolithic Age and is most commonly found in the jade artifacts of the Liangzhu culture. According to the analysis of unearthed artifacts, the majority of Liangzhu culture jade bi are plain without patterns, while only a few are carved with composite patterns of humans and animals. Due to the two thousand-year-long history of Liangzhu culture jade bi, the materials of these jade bi vary, their sizes differ, and their thicknesses are often uneven. Most of them bear cutting marks, and the central holes are mostly drilled through from both sides, leaving irregular through-hole platforms. Early jade bi were generally larger in size, while late ones were relatively smaller. In terms of material, early jade bi were typically made of local jade or yangqi stone, with grayish-green jade being most common. By the late period, jade bi carved from Hetian jade in Xinjiang also appeared, but they were still predominantly made of green jade, with some also made of stone or pottery. The jade bi is one of the longest-used types of ancient Chinese jade artifacts and is also a relatively representative piece in jade carving. To be precise, it is one of the most primitive and rustic circular jade vessels. The collection and study of jade bi will ultimately be valued by both academia and the collecting community.