Lot 481. A rare pale grey jade disc, bi, Han dynasty, 2nd-1st century BC; 5¾ in. (14.5 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Price realised USD 121,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2008.

Each side carved in relief with a field of comma spirals set within narrow, raised borders, the translucent stone and of even yellow tone and finely polished, box, stand.

Property from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm E. Mcpherson

Provenance: Acquired in the 1980s.

Note: A very similarly carved yellow jade bi of smaller size (12 cm. diam.) excavated from the mausoleum of the Prince of Chu at Shizishan, Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, and now in the Nanjing Museum, is illustrated by Gu Fang, The Complete Collection of Unearthed Jades in China, vol. 7, Beijing, p. 104. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics And Works Of Art, New York, 19 March 2008.