SONG DYNASTY CHINESE JADE BI 100% AUTHENTIC & DISPLAYED AUTHENTIC MUSEUM QUALITY JADE BI ESTATE COLLECTION Start Price USD 4,500.00 Current Price USD 4,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, November 24, 2008 End Time Wednesday, December 24, 2008 Location Tucson, AZ See more about 'SONG DYNASTY CHINESE JADE BI 100% AUTHENTIC & DISPLAYED' Description Song Dynasty Jade Bi 100% Authentic The Bi or Pi is a form of circular jade artifact from ancient China.  The earliest Bi's were made in Neolithic times (far prior to 5,000 BC).  They were flat discs with a circular hole in the center.  From the earliest times, they were associated with Heaven, and were used only by the old Shamanic kings that ruled the territories of China at the time.  As a celestial symbol, they were often buried with the dead, accompanying them  into the after-world, or Heaven.  It was the way of prayer to the Heavens, and many show symbolic and auspicious symbols, as does this Bi.  They indicate an individual of high moral quality, and are an important symbol of rank used in worship and ceremony.  This Song Dynasty (960-1279) Bi is made of a stone that is mostly Nephrite Jade, and commonly referred to as Hemi-Jade (approx. 85% nephrite).  This is a composite of Tremolite, Actinolite/Nephrite Jade, and a quartz-like material that usually formed next to belts of serpentine in areas approaching 30 miles below the earth surface, and then forced to the surface by upheavals.  This particular type of nephrite stone was chosen by the Song Dynasty masters as it most closely mimics the funereal jades used during the Han Dynasty (compare to the Han Dynasty Jade Pei from the Ang Estate in the last picture), and is why it is used so commonly today in the art of reproductions.  Almost-pure quartz materials can also look this way, but while being harder on the Moh's scale, are much lighter in weight for their size, than the far tougher and more dense nephrite versions.  During the Song Dynasty, the re-emergence of ancestor worship (Confucianism) and Taoism, took precedence over the more popular and ruinous effects that Buddhism had on the Tang Dynasty.  This Bi is masterfully carved in relief, with two different sinuous Dragons on the obverse; a hallmark of the period, and just about the only true legacy the Song left in the jade carving arts that had gone back for thousands of years.  (This was possibly because they focused so hard on perfecting some of the finest pottery, glazes and shapes ever devised by man.)  The horned dragon, which is the most powerful of all the Chinese dragons, is shown with a Lingzhi fungus,  an auspicious symbol of longevity.  The Tien-Lung or Celestial dragon, shown with a cloud,  represents the Chinese culture and race.  These dragons guard the Gods and Emperors.  The Bi's reverse side has a coiling, incised pattern.  The last pictures show a modern fake, on the viewer's right, for comparison. Size; 2-1/2" diameter, 5/16" thick, 5/8" center hole diameter. Displayed: Jade Art Now Show 2007                     Jade Art Now Show 2008 (see jadeartnow.com or friendsofjade.org. for 2009 details) Provenance: Romero Family, Bisbee, Arizona                        Fredericks/McIntire Collection                   Private California Collection This Jade Bi has also been authenticated by Dr. Timothy Jones, PhD, Anthropologist, formerly with the University of Arizona.  Dr. Jones has accepted invitations to the world's largest museum in Beijing, and has received privately guided tours of the Beijing Museum, which included some of the most treasured vault items hidden away from the general public.  Dr. Jones has directed the excavations and analyses of more than 20 major sites and 40 archaeological surveys.  Dr. Jones now runs his own appraisal and authentication business, and is certified RPA-IAA.  Dr. Jones can be reached at 520-744-2766.  He helps in the verifications of all our later porcelains, as I do for him on the older items of Jades and pottery.  He has no vested interest in our business, and we just truly enjoy each others company and knowledge. SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY, PLEASE Junk mail will not receive a response. Scheduled: Jade Art Now Show 2009 Feb. 7Th-16Th        You may view this item or any of our other antiquities, fine art or artifacts at our gallery,                          by appointment only. We are Antiquities, Plus... David Fredericks 2752 North Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719 Phone 520-991-2153                                                                               antiquitiesplus.com Refunds will be made only upon receipt by us (within 14 days of buyer's receipt of the item), of a written verification from a major University Department Head, or Major Museum Curator from a recognized institution in the appropriate field. Note: For International sales, buyer is responsible for all import duty taxes. Also, please do not ask us to mark your purchase as a gift on the customs form. For any serious questions, please call the gallery at the above number. We do not sell off EBay; please do not ask. Place a Bid!