HAN DYNASTY (206 BC-220 AD)

Details

AN IMPORTANT JADE 'DRAGON AND PHOENIX' ORNAMENT, BI
HAN DYNASTY (206 BC-220 AD)
The jade is carved in openwork with a dragon in the centre and two phoenix on outer edges. The surface is finely carved in relief with comma spirals within inner and outer raised borders. The semi-translucent stone is of brownish-white colour with areas of russet inclusions and opaque white-coloured calcification.
4 3/8 in. (11 cm.) long, box

Provenance

Acquired in Hong Kong in 1995

Brought to you by

Sibley Ngai

sngai@christies.com +852 2978 9955

Lot Essay

A similar 'dragon and phoenix' bi was found among an elaborate pendant set from the tomb of the King of Nan Yue in Guangzhou, illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji: Qin.Han-Nanbeichao (Compendium of Chinese Jade), vol. 4, Hebei, 1993, pp. 31 & 33, nos. 41 & 43. Compare also to an earlier example of 'dragon and phoenix' bi, dated to the Warring States period, in the Palace Museum Collection, illustrated in Zhongguo yuqi quanji: Chunqiu Zhanguo (Compendium of Chinese Jade), vol. 3, Hebei, 1993, p. 196, no. 305.

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