Archaic Nephrite Jade Ritual Bi-Disk, Warring States to Early Han Dynasty (c. 4th–2nd Century BCE)
Archaic Jade
$12,500
- Material
- Nephrite Jade
- Color
- Calcified "Bone
- Origin
- China
- Age / Period
- 4th–2nd Century BCE
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 2.52", 64mm; 5.25mm High
- Condition
- Excellently Preserved
Item: Archaic Nephrite Jade Ritual Bi-Disk Period: Warring States to Early Han Dynasty (c. 4th–2nd Century BCE) Iconography: Low-to-high relief Chu-style stylized Phoenix (Fengwen) and dynamic cloud scroll registers. Execution: Asymmetric multi-tiered carving, with a distinct one-third raised high-relief crescendo configuration. Condition: Profound, uniform "chicken-bone white" (Ji Gu Bai) calcification with significant porous mineral leaching, resulting in a text-book density and mass reduction. Provenance: Purchased via Galerie Zacke (Vienna). • The Main Motif: The disc is divided into grid-like registers featuring low-relief stylized bird motifs (凤纹 - Fengwen / Phoenix) mixed with archaic dragon abstractions. The elongated eyes, hooked crests, and geometric geometric scroll patterns are directly modeled after ritual jades excavated from the Chu State region during the Warring States period (c. 475–221 BCE). • The Structure: A traditional central circular aperture surrounded by a wide, flat decorative field, bordered by clean inner and outer ridges. • True Calcification (De-vitrification): When genuine nephrite spends centuries or millennia buried in acidic or geothermal soil conditions, the tightly interwoven microcrystalline structure of the stone undergoes chemical alteration. The calcium and magnesium silicates begin to leach or break down, a state known to collectors as "chicken-bone white" (鸡骨白 - Ji Gu Bai) or "earth alteration" (土蚀 - Tushi). • The Tactile Result: As the polished surface crystal structure degrades into an amorphous form, the jade loses its smooth, greasy luster. It becomes slightly porous, absorbing skin oils and leaving a dry, chalky, or powdery tactile sensation when rubbed. • The Level of Weathering: Advanced, uniform "chicken-bone white" calcification (Ji Gu Bai) that results in structural mass loss Asymmetric High Relief • The "Out of the Clouds" Illusion: Warring States and Han Dynasty carvers were obsessed with capturing dynamic, spiritual movement (氣韻生動 - Qiyun Shendong). By pushing a portion of the Chu phoenix or a crawling Chilong dragon into high relief on just one quadrant of the disk, the artist created a visual illusion that the creature was physically "emerging out" of the flat, background mist (represented by the lower-relief patterns). • Technical Mastery: Executing this layout required the artisan to start with a thicker block of raw nephrite and laboriously grind down two-thirds of the stone's background surface while leaving the remaining section raised. This uneven thickness is incredibly difficult to plan and balances the design with distinct negative and positive spaces.