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I thought the members would like to see this find, picked up in Hong Kong.The piece had a good polish to it. Typical jade, its colour changes with the light. The greener picture was taken in direct sun light.Diameter approx 100mm.

James

please show an enlarged area of the first picture, about 3 - 6 o'clock
Ernest

Dear James

This disc called "Yuan", a disc with a large hole.

Looking at the picture, I do not know what exactly the shape of the disc look like, it is flat with different thickness, len like, and/or flat with the same thickness (see pic). Pls kindly confirm.

Have fun
Anita Mui

Dear Anita
It is shape 1for the yuan.
regards
James

Hello Ernest
I hope this shows what you want to see. I now consider the piece as Warring State. What appear as grooves are actually highly polished strips between the raised whorls.
James

That's what I want, but it has to be larger
Ernest

Hello Ernest
I hope this is big enough for you to see the detail you want.
James

I have to see that without the flash, because the flash washes out the important spots. Also, better answer Anitas questions, if you want to know the truth!
Ernest

Hello Ernest
Sorry this is the best I can do, my technology is not up to it.
Will try experimenting but can not give an immediate reply with suitable un flashed photo.
James

There are three types of jade discs, accoridng to the ancient Chinese dictionary, Er Ya:

�If the outside (edge) diameter of the disc is much bigger than its inside (hole) diamerter, it is called bi; if its inside (hole) diameter is much bigger than its outside diameter, it is called yuan; if its outside diameter is equal to its inside diameter it is called huan.�

Therefore:

(1) Jade Bi (jade disc) � the diameter of its hole is about 1/3 of its outside diameter.
(2) Jade Yuan (jade bracelet) � the diameter of its hole is about 2/3 of its outside diameter.
(3) Jade Yuan (jade ring) � the diameter of its hole is about half of its outside diameter.

However, most of the jade discs found were not necessarily made to these specifications.

I like the material and carving of Jame�s jade yuan posted here.

Bill

In my previous message:

3) Jade Yuan (jade ring) � the diameter of its hole is about half of its outside diameter

should be

(3) Jade Huan (jade ring) � the diameter of its hole is about half of its outside diameter.

I apologize for the error.

Bill

A late Spring and Autumn (small) jade disk.

http://www.sothebys.com/app/live/lot/LotDetail.jsp?lot_id=159485174

When I get a reply to the forum I get an email to tell me, with what appears to be a link to the forum but it does not work.

Warning: mysql_num_rows(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /usr/local/www/docs/asianart/phpforum/functions/FunctionList.inc_php on line 17

Is it me or something wrong in the forum software?
I am now using vista op system..

Dear Bill

Look at the James' piece carefully, It is a flat disc, sharp edges cut, with glassy polish, very different from Spring and Autumn period's trend.

All jades in China has hallmarks, that is why we can date jade to the possible time it was made.

How can you compare late Spring and Autumn period's workmanship to Warring States - Eastern Han work?

That Sotheby's disc is nice, if it is not verified by Sotheby's. I would date it as "Song Dynasty copied Spring and Autumn"....I personally have no feeling of essense of Spring and Autumn work on it....but I do believe in Sotheby's expertise.

Have fun
Anita Mui

Dear James

So the shape is as no.1

Looking at the shape (sling cut disc), hole drilled from both sizes, workmanship, and fine material. I am sure that it is a work of Eastern Han Dynasty, immitated work of the Zhou Dynasty.

I may be wrong, but no modern tool marks found. It is with right style, material, and workmanship of the Han....No artificial magics of raised crystal and lumps found....what else could it be?

Have fun
Anita Mui

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