? A MOTTLED JADE BI DISC, LIANGZHU CULTURE China, late Neolithic period, Liangzhu culture, c. 3300-2200 BC. Of circular form with a central aperture drilled from both sides to form an encircling ridge. The mottled and opaque stone is of dark green color with extensive grayish-white as well as russet patches, veining, and alteration.
Weight: 515 g
Dimensions: Diameter 17 cm
Provenance: From the collection of Max Lowenson, thence by descent to Dr. Ben Essex. Born in Latvia, Max Lowenson (1879-1945) immigrated to Cardiff, Wales, in the early 20th century, where he became a successful businessman. His prosperity allowed him to travel extensively across Asia, sparking a deep fascination with Chinese history and leading to the formation of an impressive collection of Chinese art, spanning from the Warring States period to the Tang dynasty. Lowenson's legacy continues through his grandson, Dr. Ben Essex, a noted English collector of ancient Chinese works of art. He and his wife, Nina Essex inherited and expanded the collection of Max Lowenson. Today, pieces from Dr. Essex's collection are housed in the National Museum of Wales.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear, signs of prolonged burial, traces of deep weathering, minuscule nibbling, and smoothened chips, the stone with natural inclusions and fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks.
Bi disks such as the current example have been thought to symbolize a connection between heaven and earth. This hypothesis has been solidified by the large number of examples found in ancient tombs of Chinese elite dating from the Neolithic to the Han Dynasty, also underscoring their significance as objects deemed important enough to accompany one to the afterlife. The Chinese character for jade, 玉 (yù), is a pictorial representation of three such disks suspended on a cord, an image that is also found in the Chinese character for king, 王 (wáng), which further emphasizes the precious nature and cultural significance of such disks.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 27 November 2019, lot 2722
Price: HKD 212,500 or approx. EUR 26,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A mottled green jade disc, Bi, Liangzhu Culture, circa 3300-2200 BC
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of carving, and color of the stone. Note the slightly smaller size (18.5 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 March 2015, lot 480
Price: USD 25,000 or approx. EUR 29,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A mottled ivory-toned and olive-green hardstone bi disc, Southeast China, Neolithic period, Liangzhu culture, 3rd millennium BC
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of carving, and color of the stone. Note the slightly smaller size (18.5 cm).
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Gallery Zacke takes care of shipping and quotes postage upon request. The purchased goods are transported at the risk of the customer following handover of the packaged item to the post office or another carrier which the customer agrees to through his/her submission of the purchase order. According to specific wish of the customer, the auctioned goods may be insured for the value of the purchase price (highest bid and surcharge). This insurance fee is 3% of the purchase price.
Terms of Auction
§ 1) The auction shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the rules of procedure of GALERIE ZACKE?, SZA VERSTEIGERUNGEN UND VERTRIEBS GMBH, MARIAHILFERSTRASSE 112, 1070 WIEN (hereinafter referred to as the company) as well as in accordance with sections 244-246 of the GEWERBEORDNUNG [Industrial Code] of 1994. The auction shall be carried out on commission. The auctioneer shall be entitled to withdraw lots exceptionally, to conduct the auction deviating from the order of the catalog numbers and to offer lots jointly. In the event of any dispute concerning a double bid or if the auctioneer has missed a bid, the auctioneer shall be entitled to revoke acceptance of a bid and to continue auctioning the item. The figures stated in the catalog shall be the highest bid in Euro (€) expected by the respective expert. As a rule, the bid shall be increased by 10% of the last bid. (See table of the bidding increments).
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