Lot 1449. A large mottled dark green jade bi, Neolithic period, North-West China, circa 2000-1500 BC; 8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 10,000 - USD 15,000. Price realised USD 40,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013.

Possibly Liangzhu Culture, the thick disc has a central aperture drilled from both sides which retains a cutting ridge on the interior wall, and is of dark green color with russet and buff markings throughout, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: Senshutey, Tokyo, Japan, July 1999.

Exhibited: Senshutey, Tokyo, Japan, The Collection of Chinese Art: Special Exhibition: 'Run through 10 years', 2006, p. 13, no. 5.

Note: A bi of similar size (23.4 cm.), and date, ascribed to north-west China, which appears to be of similar stone, is illustrated by J. Rawson, Chinese Jade from the Neolithic to the Qing, British Museum, 1995, p. 156, no. 7:7. See, also, another similar bi (22 cm.) ascribed to the Liangzhu Culture, in the Qing Court collection, illustrated in The Complete Treasures of the Palace Museum - 40 - Jadeware (I), Hong Kong, 1995, p. 29, no. 26.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 19 - 20 September 2013