Lot 25. A very rare jade conjoined double bi-disc, Warring States Period (475-221 BC); 7.5cm (3in) wide. Estimate HK$ 500,000 - 800,000 (€58,000 - 92,000). Sold for HK$ 500,000 (€ 59,311). Photo: Bonhams.

Comprising two bi discs, each incised with scrolls and flanked by a pair of stylised sinuous dragons, connected at the centre by a tubular section carved with a stylised mask, the stone of an opaque pale brown tone. 

Note: The Warring States period, marked by strife between several strong independent countries, saw a development of inter-regional trade and commerce. With strong demand and consumption for luxury goods by the elite and high market competition from the various states, artistic innovation led to a rise of dynamic jade carving. Embellishments in the form of zoomorphic or floral flange-like elements that go beyond the boundaries of a jade object's given shape, such as those found on the present lot, demonstrates this. The addition of these ornate decorative elements on bi discs, was a marked departure from the austerity of earlier examples which had remained in shape largely a stark disc with a central aperture. For a discussion of this see R.Keverne, Jade, London, 1991, p.107.

Innovative composite carvings of linked pieces also demonstrates the creativity and great technical finesse utilised during this period to carve jades. Examples of conjoined or linked bi discs from this early period are very rare. Given the difficulty of manufacture that included carving the main pieces and links from a single stone, these would have been infrequently made and remain today in limited numbers. 

Compare a related group of four linked bi discs, with similar tubular link sections, Eastern Zhou dynasty, in the British Museum, London, illustrated by J.Rawson, The British Museum Book of Chinese Art, London, 1992, p.72, fig.44. Other comparable but more complicated examples were found in the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng, illustrated by Gu Fang, The Pictorial Handbook of Ancient Chinese Jades, Beijing, 2007, pp.188-189.

Bonhams. THE SZE YUAN TANG COLLECTION OF CHINESE JADES, 11:00 HKT - HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY