Chinese Hongshan Neolithic Stone Bi Disc

Northeast China, Hongshan culture, Neolithic Period, ca. 3800 to 2700 BCE. A mottled coppery red and black hard stone disc, of the form called a "bi disc", its surface carefully sculpted into narrow, curving ridges and shallow, wide valleys. Although it is likely not intentional, it resembles the spiral shell form of an ammonite. From the Neolithic period forward, bi discs were buried with the dead, often broken or placed ceremonially on the body, usually near the stomach or chest, in high status burials. They also seem to have been used in life for rituals. The level of craftsmanship required to shape hardstone speaks to how highly valued this striking piece of sacred art was. Size: 2.55" W (6.5 cm)

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection, acquired in the 1980s to 1990s

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#143235
Condition Report: Intact, with surface wear commensurate with age. Very clear form and rich patina from age and handling.