DISC WITH DIFFERENT DECOR ON EACH SIDE. Jade. China, approx. mid 17th cent. DIAMETER 7.7 CM, INNER DIAMETER 2,1 CM, THICKNESS APPROX. 4 MM
This rare and characterful bi is richly embellished with a completely different design on each side in relief. On one side there is an array of loosely dispersed motifs, some but not all derived from archaic decor. There are variations on scrolling C-shaped motifs and spirals with trailing tails, some which then change into demon faces. The other side is adorned with bull heads, emulating taotie, with horns on their noses. There are also rod-shaped motifs surmounted by birds’ heads. A very imaginative piece with an unusual design and exceptionally fine workmanship! This is probably an archaic bi with later decorations, as is commonly seen on jades from this period.
Ex collection of the famous paleontologist G.H. Ralph von Koenigswald, acquired around 1939 in Beijing