Jade 'Bi' Disk | Harvard Art Museums

Identification and Creation

Object Number: 1943.50.516
Title: Jade 'Bi' Disk
Other Titles: Alternate Title: pi
Classification: Ritual Implements
Work Type: disk
Date: possibly c. 4000 BCE - c. 2000 BCE
Places: Creation Place: East Asia, China
Period: Neolithic period
Culture: Chinese
Persistent Link: https://hvrd.art/o/204489

Physical Descriptions

Medium: Variegated brown and yellow nephrite
Dimensions: 1 x 15.8 cm (3/8 x 6 1/4 in.)
unspecified: 476 g
Technical Details: Technical Observations:
Raman Spectroscopy

Raman was performed by Katherine Eremin on July 6, 2010 (5 files), Erin Mysak on August 9, 2011 (15 files), and again by Katherine Eremin on October 5, 2011 (3 files). The mineral was identified as nephrite, with one peak at 3,600. However, there was great difficulty in obtaining a spectrum, particularly in the dark areas. The best areas for a spectrum were the creamy yellow tones (near Raman 6, 7), the darkest and lightest colors gave no results.

Published Text

Catalogue: Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University
Authors: Max Loehr and Louisa G. Fitzgerald Huber
Publisher: Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1975)

Catalogue entry no. 8 by Max Loehr:

8 Pi Disk
Irregularly rounded, unevenly thick disk of variegated brown and yellow stone. The surface, with flaws and cracks, shows a peculiar, lacquer-like gloss. A curved dell suggests that a swing was used to saw the slab from the original pebble or boulder. The central perforation was drilled from both side. Late Neolithic(?).

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Grenville L. Winthrop

Accession Year

1943

Object Number

1943.50.516

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

THIS WORK MAY NOT BE LENT BY THE TERMS OF ITS ACQUISITION TO THE HARVARD ART MUSEUMS.

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Publication History

Max Loehr and Louisa G. Fitzgerald Huber, Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1975), cat. no. 8, p. 38

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

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