352 - A HAN DYNASTY OPENWORK JADE BI DISC, CHINA

A HAN DYNASTY OPENWORK JADE BI DISC, CHINA Dimensions: Height 10 cm Wide 6 cm Depth 0,5 cm Weight: 62 grams A finely carved openwork jade bi disc of vertical pendant form, worked from mottled brown and olive-toned stone. The circular lower section is carved with a sinuous stylised dragon or mythical beast enclosed within a broad ring of scrolling ornament, while the upper crest develops into a dense openwork composition of confronting zoomorphic forms. The carving alternates solid polished surfaces with deep piercing, creating a lively play of positive and negative space. The bi disc is among the most enduring ritual forms of ancient China and was closely associated with rank, ceremony and burial practice. During the Han dynasty, older geometric forms were increasingly combined with animated dragons and fantastic creatures, reflecting a broader fascination with transformation, protection and the celestial realm. The present piece brings these traditions together in a compact, highly decorative format. The surface displays delicate colour variations, pale accretions and traces of age.