YUAN WITH CIRRUS CLOUDS AND STRIPES

Yellow Jade
China , Han Dynasty (B.C.202-A.D.220)

Dimensions: 10,5 x 10,5 x 0,5 cm

Weight: 69 grams

Yuan-disk with cloud pattern. Yuan is a disk with an orifice still larger than that of the Huan.
In ancient times the Yuan-disk was a token of emperor.
When the monarch summoned governors of provinces, he did not need to see them himself.
He just ordered his attendants to bring his Yuan-disk to them as a stand-in.
Once the governors saw the jade Yuan, they would go to meet the emperor immediately.