Jade. Late Eastern Zhou period, c. 4th century BC
渦紋玉璧 - æ±å‘¨, 公元å‰4世紀
直徑 18,7 厘米; 孔徑 6,2 厘米; 密 0,5厘米
This disc is decorated on both sides with a simple pattern made up of small incised spirals or curls which have been carved on the jade in regular, straight and parallel rows. However, the different orientation of the spirals’ tails creates a much more dynamic design whose sense of movement permeates the whole pattern. This feeling is strengthened by the fact that the spirals are cut in the stone at a slightly bevelled angle, so that the curls appear as if rising from the jade’s surface, thus reducing the sense of bi-dimensionality of the overall motif. This dynamic effect of the design is particularly evident when the light hits the surface of the disc at a 45° degree angle. The whole pattern is comprised within two plain, narrow bands which run along the outer edge of the disc and encircle the border of the central perforation.
The jade is totally altered, and the original colour has turned to chalky white with some greyish shades caused by internal inclusions in the stone. Remains of soil embedded within the carved spirals add a soft, reddish hue to the overall colour of the disc: a small chip is also visible on one point of the jade’s border. A disc decorated with the same pattern is part of the National Palace Museum collections and published in Gugong gu yu tu lu (Illustrated Catalogue of Ancient Jade Artefacts), National Palace Museum, Taipei 1998.
DIAMETER 18,7 CM, INNER HOLE 6,2 CM - THICKNESS 0,5 CM
From an Austrian private collection