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Ceremonial bi disc with a gui sceptre

Ceremonial bi disc with a gui sceptre
 Ming dynasty 1368-1644

Medium
jade (nephrite)
Measurements
19.2 × 14.3 × 2.0 cm
Place/s of Execution
China
Accession Number
616-D4
Department
Asian Art
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1947
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation
Gallery location
Not on display
Physical description
The greyish green jade is carved in a circular shape. One side is carved in the shape of a circular ring or the so-called bi 璧disc with a circle in the middle. Slightly behind it is an elongated tablet, the so-called gui圭sceptre with the pointed end defining the top. At the top and bottom of the disc is carved in relief the so-called taotie饕餮 mask, a motif commonly found on Chinese ritual bronze vessels from the Shang (16th-11th century B.C.) and Zhou dynasty (11th-221B.C). The design typically consists of a zoomorphic mask. The remaining part of the disc is carved cloudlike motive that also resemble the so-called auspicious ruyi 如意motif meaning `as you wish’ or `may your wish come true’. The lower part of the gui sceptre is carved in relief with a three mountain peak , possibly representing the isles of the immortals, rising above waves. Signs of the constellation are carved on the pointed top part of the sceptre. The other side or back of the circular form are a pair of dragons chasing each other in a circular movement with the flaming pearl at the centre.