Lot 69

Overall in good condition.


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An old private collection, Tokyo, acquired in the early 80s.

The jade bi is one of the earliest and longest-used types of ancient Chinese jade objects. The Zhou Li (Rites of Zhou) records: "Make six ritual vessels from jade to observe rites toward Heaven and the Four Directions: use the blue bi for Heaven, the yellow cong for Earth, the green gui for the East, the red zhang for the South, the white hu for the West, and the black huang for the North." The Strategies of the Warring States notes that "the King of Chu sent envoys with a hundred chariots to present a luminous bi," and the Zuo Zhuan records that King Gong of Chu used a bi in sacrifices to the assembled deities. Such references highlight the special significance of the jade bi in ancient Chinese culture. Beyond its ritual function, it symbolized power and played an important role in political exchanges. Its influence, prevalence, and wide distribution make it the most prominent type among ancient jade objects.

The Erya · Shiqi records: "If the central hole is larger than the body it is called a bi; if the body is larger than the central hole it is called a yuan; if the body and hole are equal it is called a huan." Early jade bi, as one of the "six ritual vessels" in traditional China, were simple and unadorned, with plain surfaces and relatively irregular craftsmanship. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, however, bi began to feature a variety of decorations, including cloud patterns, grain motifs, animal and bird designs. These decorations became increasingly elaborate and intricate, adding elegance and refined charm to what had been a very simple form.

The Qianlong Emperor of the Qing dynasty was renowned for his love of antiquity, favouring simplicity, elegance, and classical forms, which inspired a vogue for antiquarian imitation. Craftsmen, guided by centuries of inherited skill and experience, selected fine jade to recreate objects imbued with the spirit of ancient times. The present jade bi is a notable example: the material is warm and lustrous, cut according to the principle that "Heaven is round," forming a circular ring.