Lot Essay
Compare the two similar bi illustrated by the Institute of Archaeology, Excavations of the Han Tombs at Manchang, vol. II, 1980, pl. CCX, figs. 1 and 2.
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EARLY JADES, BRONZES AND SILVER
A LARGE DARK GREEN JADE BI
HAN DYNASTY, 2ND-1ST CENTURY BC
Details
A LARGE DARK GREEN JADE BI
Han dynasty, 2nd-1st century BC
Both sides with a plain inner and outer border, with a wide band of faceted comma spirals carved in low relief within an hexagonal criss-cross gridwork set between narrow striated borders, and an outer band carved with outward-facing bovine masks, their long scrolling horns crossed by another shorter scroll ending in a bird's head, the dark green stone with extensive opaque buff alteration
11in. (28cm.) diam., box
Han dynasty, 2nd-1st century BC
Both sides with a plain inner and outer border, with a wide band of faceted comma spirals carved in low relief within an hexagonal criss-cross gridwork set between narrow striated borders, and an outer band carved with outward-facing bovine masks, their long scrolling horns crossed by another shorter scroll ending in a bird's head, the dark green stone with extensive opaque buff alteration
11in. (28cm.) diam., box