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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1943.50.516
Title
Jade 'Bi' Disk
Other Titles
Alternate Title: pi
Classification
Ritual Implements
Work Type
disk
Date
possibly c. 4000 BCE - c. 2000 BCE
Places
Creation Place: East Asia, China
Period
Neolithic period
Culture
Chinese
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/204489

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Variegated brown and yellow nephrite
Dimensions
1 x 15.8 cm (3/8 x 6 1/4 in.)
unspecified: 476 g
Technical Details

Technical Observations:
Raman Spectroscopy

Raman was performed by Katherine Eremin on July 6, 2010 (5 files), Erin Mysak on August 9, 2011 (15 files), and again by Katherine Eremin on October 5, 2011 (3 files). The mineral was identified as nephrite, with one peak at 3,600. However, there was great difficulty in obtaining a spectrum, particularly in the dark areas. The best areas for a spectrum were the creamy yellow tones (near Raman 6, 7), the darkest and lightest colors gave no results.

Published Text

Catalogue
Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University
Authors
Max Loehr and Louisa G. Fitzgerald Huber
Publisher
Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1975)

Catalogue entry no. 8 by Max Loehr:

8 Pi Disk
Irregularly rounded, unevenly thick disk of variegated brown and yellow stone. The surface, with flaws and cracks, shows a peculiar, lacquer-like gloss. A curved dell suggests that a swing was used to saw the slab from the original pebble or boulder. The central perforation was drilled from both side. Late Neolithic(?).

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Grenville L. Winthrop
Accession Year
1943
Object Number
1943.50.516
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Publication History

  • Max Loehr and Louisa G. Fitzgerald Huber, Ancient Chinese Jades from the Grenville L. Winthrop Collection in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University (Cambridge, MA, Fogg Art Museum, 1975)., cat. no. 8, p. 38

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu