Skip to main content
Advanced Search
bi
bi

bi

Object NameBi (Ritual Disk)
Made FromGlass
Dateabout 350-150 BCE
Place MadeChina; China, Changsha (collected)
TechniqueCast, carved
SizeOverall Diam (max): 16.4 cm, Th: 0.5 cm; Perforation Diam: 6.3 cm
Accession Number51.6.548
Curatorial Area(s)
Exhibitions
Exhibition of East Asiatic Glass
On ViewAncient Gallery
Interpretive Notes
仿玉涡纹玻璃璧 Beginning more than 4,000 years ago, disk-shaped bi made from jade were buried in graves with the deceased to represent the status and power of the ruling class. When Chinese glassmakers became skilled in casting, they began to make bi from glass as a substitute material, often in colors that imitate natural stones such as jade. The spiral "涡纹" patterns on this example represent water.
Physical DescriptionBi (Ritual Disk). Opaque green glass; cast, carved. Carved on each face with lines forming a narrow border about 0.4 cm wide at both rim and perforation edge; otherwise both faces entirely covered with cut water spirals.
Provenance
Source F. P. Musso - 1951-04-03

There are no works to discover for this record.