JADE BI-DISC

Late Neolithic period to Western Zhou dynasty, c. 3000 BC – 9th century BC
Diameter: 8 3/4 inches, 22.2 cm
Thickness: 1/4 inch, 1.3 cm

玉璧

A jade bi-disc, the central aperture drilled from two sides. The stone a mixture of russet and white tones.

A circular jade disc is known as bi. While the precise purpose of the bi disc is unclear, the large numbers found in some burial tombs suggest that they were a means for the deceased to show their wealth. An alternative theory is that they were used as talismans for the exorcism of and protection from evil.