East Asia, China, upper Yellow River region of Gansu and eastern Qinghai, Neolithic Period, Qijia culture, ca. 2200 to 1600 BCE. A beautiful triple huang bi disc comprised of 3 flat, arc-shaped sections hand-carved from the same piece of nephrite jade in mottled hues of celadon, cream, and taupe. Each piece displays a flattened outer edge, a slightly slanted inner periphery, and a conical drill hole at either end for all 3 to be strung together. Size (strung together): 4.8" Diameter (12.2 cm); individual (all roughly the same): 4.1" L x 1.6" W (10.4 cm x 4.1 cm)

The unadorned surface of this example confirms that it is from the Neolithic period; later examples such as those of the Zhou dynasties were carved with relief sculptures representing celestial deities. Bi discs were traditionally used by Shamans, the spiritual leaders and transmitters of cosmological knowledge of the Liangzhu society. Their circular form has prompted scholars to link bi discs to symbolism associated with earth and heaven. This said, no written accounts were left by Neolithic civilization. We do know, however, that bi discs were buried with the deceased as a celestial symbol that would accompany him/her to the afterlife. Beyond this, jade objects, throughout history, have signified the elite status and social rank of an individual.

A similar jade triple huang bi disc hammered for 62,500 HKD (about $7,961.82) at Christie's Hong Kong as lot 2756 in live auction 17742 on November 27th, 2019 (The Chang Wei-Hwa Collection of Archaic Jades, Part I - Neolithic Period) and a slightly larger triple huang bi disc of white jade hammered 75,000 HKD (about $9,554.18) also at Christie's Hong Kong as lot 2711 in live auction 16069 on November 29th, 2017 (Chinese Archaic Jades from The Yangdetang Collection).

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Arts du Monde, imported into the US prior to 2000

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#173071

Ancient piece with modern string. Abraded area to outer edge of 1 section. Some minor nicks to all. Otherwise, intact and excellent.